Moses and the burning bush

Exodus 3:1-4:17
Let me just turn aside and see why this bush is not burning up. Are you kidding me? Oh by the way...no big deal? NO! burning bush-not sure I'd be so inquisitive. Curious yes-go and see...NO.

But Moses takes a little detour-alright tending flocks might not be that exciting, and if it was it certainly wasn't good. Wolves were exciting, thieves were exciting both -not good. So perhaps Moses wanted to take a look and see something that didn't seem too dangerous-to his flock that is, but what does he find? GOD. Don't just stand there, take off your sandals this is Holy Ground! Oh my. The burning bush calls to him...and he says "Here I am" Don't know about you, but talking to a burning bush...not sure what I'd do.

What does God do? This is interesting. God says GO. Again with the go. He said that to Abram too. What did he say to Abram, do we remember?

He says go to a place I will tell you ...and once you get there you will know.
So now he says to Moses, go to that place where all your people are prisoners, you know where they are oppressed, and slaves, and you fled from there, yeah that place. Oh oh.

Moses says (can't say I blame him) Um, could you maybe send someone else? You know I don't talk very well. (Is this an excuse?) What does God say, Oh ok Moses I must have made a mistake, I forgot you didn't talk very well and you were shy...NO God doesn't say that! Gee First Moses is curious, and takes a little detour. He is smart enough to take off his sandals, but dumb enough to argue with God-to His face! Ok that can't be real smart. Maybe Moses doesn't think too well either. Or is it that unlike what we are likely to say to God? No God you can't understand, I'm different, I can't do that, or is it that we are afraid or don't WANT to do that?

Moses says who will believe me? (I can see his point -would anyone believe me?) Who shall I say is sending me? Here it is again, how does God answer Moses? God says I will be with you, and this will be a sign to you-after you have done this you will worship on this mountain.

This should make us pause. After we have done what God says, then it will be a sign to us. How often do we ask for signs BEFORE we do something? How many excuses do we use if we don't want to do something? They won't believe me, I don't know the way, I'm too old, or I'm too young, or I'm not gifted with words...do these excuses work with God? Like what, He hasn't heard them before? GEE. I'm guessing maybe He has, maybe we aren't so different from Moses. Hopefully Moses doesn't take matters into his own hands like Abram. What do you think? I guess we'll wait and see.

Today, I pray that I don't make excuses to God, that I don't try to weasel out of doing the things He asks. Just today.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie