From Jim’s heart…Stop, Look, and Listen to God

When Moses was tending his father-in-law’s sheep in Midian, he led them out to the desert to Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai). There he encountered a bush that burned, yet was not consumed by the fire. As Moses turned to see what was going on, God called to him from inside the bush. He told Moses to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. God then explained to Moses that He had heard the cries of the people of Israel, who were in bondage in Egypt, and that He was going to use Moses to confront Pharaoh and bring His people out of Egypt.

Moses thought there was no way God could use him. He basically asked God, “Who am I? Why would You send me to go before Pharaoh? And what makes You think I could bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? No, God. You’ve got the wrong guy!” (See Exodus 3:11). God assured Moses that He would be with him. But Moses remained unconvinced that he was the right man for the job, even after God provided him with miracles to show the people confirmation that God had sent him. Moses wanted God to send someone else, but God refused, allowing only Aaron, Moses’ brother, to go with him. Eventually, Moses complied and prepared to leave Midian to go to Egypt. (See Exodus 3:1-21.)

A Life Lesson from Moses — Stop, Look, and Listen:

The mind plays funny tricks on a person in a desert environment. Moses saw something that looked like a burning bush, yet it was not consumed by the flame. Moses had spent 40 years in the desert and had never seen anything like this! He could have concluded that it was a mirage or that he was having a heat stroke, and returned to his tent. But the supernatural caught his attention and he went to investigate. This choice to turn and check out this strange happening turned Moses’ life upside down. He was never the same person again.

Is God wanting to speak to you from His Word or through wise counsel? And are you willing to take the time to turn aside and hear His message? What if Moses hadn’t paused and turned to receive God’s instruction? Perhaps God would have found someone else, and Moses would have lost the blessing. Follow Moses’ example: Stop, look, and listen to what God has to say to you. You’ll be glad you did!

Question: Share a story of how you’ve stopped to look and listen from God in the last year. How was your life changed by this encounter?

Read From Jim’s heart…Stop, Look, and Listen to God on Elizabeth & Jim George.