Take Notice
When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
“Here I am!” Moses replied -Exodus 3:4
This month I’ve had some tough decisions to make about leadership opportunities I could say “yes” or “no” to. It’s been tempting to act on impulse, to give a knee-jerk answer, because more often than not, my gut instinctively leans toward one side or the other. The problem is, my gut responds to one of two voices: my fear (“No!”) or my ego (“Yes!”).
Fear tells me I’m ill-equipped for the task being asked of me. Fear tells me it will be hard, inconvenient, time consuming, uncomfortable, and there’s a good chance I’ll fail. Fear tells me not to risk disappointing anyone, to let someone else step up to the plate. My ego tells me I’m more than capable so of course I should say “Yes.” My ego tells me I’ve been chosen for this because my gifts, talents, and strengths are obvious, that I’m wanted, believed in, and fully expected to succeed. My ego tells me this is my chance to shine, to showcase what I can do. Neither are voices I should heed. This is why I’ve been taking some time to pray on the decisions set before me. Because the only voice I want to heed is God’s.
This month as I’ve prayed and processed my options, I’ve been asking God to show me where He’s calling me. Where can my gifts, strengths and passions best be used for His glory? Where can my faith grow best? Where can my comfort be sacrificed for the sake of His kingdom? I ask Him to show me, but I also ask for eyes to see His answer. “Help me take notice of what You want for me.” Because what good is it to ask for His direction if my heart is not awake and alert for His reply?
Exodus 3 shows us how important it is to take notice so that we can hear the voice of God:
One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
“Here I am!” Moses replied (v.1-4).
Did you catch it? It wasn’t until the Lord saw Moses notice the bush that He called out to him. Imagine if Moses had been too preoccupied tending his sheep to see the burning bush in the first place. Imagine if he’d merely glanced at it in passing, assuming it was nothing more than a small brush fire. He would have missed the call of the Lord and therefore missed the leadership opportunity of truly biblical proportions. Oh that we would have awareness like Moses, to have eyes to see and a heart that’s open to what’s happening around us. We need to look up from our daily grind and look around. He is waiting for us to take notice so He can call us forward into His plan and purpose.
The story continues as God explains to Moses just what He’s calling him to do:
“Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”
But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”
God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain” (v. 9-12).
Moses is so relatable to me here. Like I so often do, Moses listens to his gut over God’s voice. His gut is responding to fear masquerading as humility. “Who am I?” Moses asks. He’s doubting his worth, his ability, his sufficiency. I do this too when I’m scared. Even when the Lord’s call is loud and clear, fear tries desperately to be louder. Moses’ fear provides him with endless excuses: I don’t know what to say (Exodus 3:13), no one will believe me or listen to me (4:1), I’m not good with words (4:10). Finally, “Moses again pleaded, ‘Lord, please! Send anyone else’” (4:13). This is so, genuinely human. I get Moses. I really do. I have opened my eyes, ears and heart to hear God’s call only to wish I could unhear it. This month in particular, God has made it unmistakably clear what He wants me to do and I’m dragging my heels a bit. I’ve prayed through all the same excuses Moses had, but no matter how hard I push back, God’s response is always the same: “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12).
Note how God didn’t affirm Moses’ gifts, reassuring him that he’s the guy for the job. He didn’t stroke Moses’ ego to assuage his insecurities. He didn’t review Moses’ resume and point out all the qualities that made him capable of handling the task. This could be because Moses didn’t have what it takes, not without God. Nor do I. My ego will try to tell me I do, but the truth is, without God I am nothing. The only assurance I need is the presence of God. He will never fail me or abandon me (Hebrews 13:5) and if He is for me, no one can be against me (Romans 8:31). My capabilities are not what will help me succeed; God will. I need only to obey.
Study & Reflection: How do you approach big decisions you’re faced with? What are some things your ego tells you versus what your fear tells you? Read Exodus 3-4:13. Which of Moses’ excuses can you relate to most and why? Reflect on times you’ve heard God’s voice: was it loud and clear or did you struggle to hear it? If you’re facing a decision today, ask God to help you take notice of Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are the same God today that You were to Moses in the wilderness. Open my eyes, ears and heart to hear Your voice. Lift my gaze up from my daily grind and make me aware of any signs You’re giving me. When You call, give me a heart of obedience, not of pride or fear. I trust that whatever it is You have for me to do, You will go with me. Amen.