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Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” (Exodus 3:1-3, NIV)
In the continuation of our Exodus story this week, we find God calling Moses through the burning bush to deliver the Israelite people from slavery in Egypt. But was he qualified?
Looking back at Moses’ first forty years of life, we know he had been mercifully raised in Pharaoh’s house, where he learned to be a scholar, gentleman, statesman, and soldier. In the next forty years, after murdering the Egyptian, Moses fled to Midian where he became a shepherd. He tended the flocks of his father-in-law, Jethro, where he experienced hardships of life in the wilderness – defending and feeding the flock. He also had time for contemplation and devotion to God while he looked out at the stars at night and raised his family.
These skills and practices would become very important and necessary in the next forty years, when he would become the leader of the children of Israel. God called him from the burning bush, with all these skills and talents, to take on Pharaoh and lead the Israelites to worship on Mount Sinai, and guide them through the wilderness to the Promise Land. Not an easy task!
God knew that every experience he had and every land he traversed would be beneficial to him. That’s true with us, too! When God uses us, he does so knowing every past experience will become a skillset to be used in the future.
Do not let yourself believe you have no skills or talents to offer. Don’t discount the experiences in your life – good or bad – as useless. Quite the opposite, they are invaluable! The key is to give yourself over to God, totally, so He can use us for His purpose and Glory.
When I look back at my life and see how my life experiences have all helped bring me here to be your pastor. From the farm, where I learned to fix things and make them grow, to school and church, where I learned public speaking, music, and languages. My beginnings in the small country Lutheran church gave me opportunities to develop in faith through Sunday school, Confirmation. In college, I helped lead Bible studies through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. And my relationships –friends, family, pastors, spouse, mentors, teachers – were all important in shaping and preparing me for the ministries I would encounter. God is still working on me!
How about you? Is God calling you out of a burning bush? Is God trying to get your attention? What lessons has God taught you or still teaching you today? Will you answer His call?
Pastor Dan
Announcements:
· Please join us for a delicious lunch in the Fellowship Hall immediately following worship this Sunday.
· We are having Vacation Bible School on June 24-25-26 from 6:30-8:00 pm in partnership with the other ministries onsite. We also need volunteers to sign up in the next few weeks -contact Kaitlyn Hallett to sign up. Registration for youth 1st to 5th grade(ages 6-12) will open on a later date.
· Join us this Wednesday for a Soup Supper at 6:00 pm followed by the Exodus series class at 7:00 pm, both in the Fellowship Hall. Read Exodus 5-15 to help be prepared. There will be teaching by the pastors and small group discussions. Free!
