Life is…”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Saturday, March 16, 2024
Exodus 2:23- 3:15 (Forward, p. 47) CEV p. 56
The Beatle, John Lennon, once said, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” So then, what was Moses thinking as he faced yet another day of taking care of the sheep and goats of his father-in-law, Jethro? We will probably never know, but it is fair to say two things. Firstly, it is fair to say that it was nothing like what he’d experienced as a privileged, and probably pampered, child and young man in the household of Pharoah. And second, it can probably be said with much certainty that it had nothing to do with a burning bush.
All that can be said with certainty is that he made a certain decision, one that proved to be life changing. He decided to lead the flocks across the desert to the mountain known as Sinai or Horeb. That was his plan for the day. In today’s text, it is described as ‘the holy mountain’, but did Moses know it was holy? Did he know about it beforehand? And was it holy to him? All that can be reasonably surmised is that there was good grazing there for the flocks under his care. If this be so, then there were good, practical reasons for the plans and choices he made. And so it is with life in general.
But, while there, he noticed something new, or at very least, new to him, a bush that was on fire but without being consumed. This was something very odd, to be sure, and probably much more than merely a natural phenomenon, as some people have suggested. That he took notice of it is significant, but there are two other interconnected factors that are even more significant. One is that he was curious and decided to go over and check it out, and the other is that he didn’t allow his present responsibilities, that of tending the flocks, get in the way. I would suggest that many of us notice things out of the ordinary but are never curious enough to go and investigate. And, even when we do want to check it out, we are too busy, too occupied with other tasks and responsibilities to do so. We mean to—that’s our intention—but we never get around to it.
But Moses does interrupt his plans for the day and goes over to investigate, and here’s where things truly ‘get interesting’. God uses this divine curiosity to set in motion a whole new set of adventures for the hapless
Moses, something he’d never, ever, planned or expected, no, not even in ‘a month of Sundays.’
God tells him that He, God, is aware of the plight of His people, cares about it, and has decided to do something about it. Furthermore, He tells Moses that He has decided to act by using a deputy, someone there ‘on the ground’, namely Moses. He promises to be with Moses and promises to bring him again to this very place. He even reveals to Moses His sacred name, Yahweh. No wonder, considering all this, that Moses wonders out loud, ‘Who am I to go to the king and lead your people out of Egypt?’ But, as God soon reveals, it is not a matter of Moses’ background or abilities, but of God’s calling. Moses does indeed have certain qualities that fit him for the task, but more than any of this, it is God’s leading and equipping that make all the difference. And that, is something that we all need to remember: it is God who works through us, and who, ultimately, is the One who truly makes a difference through what we do or say.
Forward notes: “When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am’” (chapter 3, verse 4).
“Lent’s reflective season is almost over, but today’s Exodus reading reminds us that even when we are not explicitly looking for God, God looks for us. In fact, even when we are running away like Moses, God shows up and reminds us of the Holy One’s constant presence.
“After 9/11, my career in aviation became increasingly stressful. I was discerning a call to the priesthood, but I felt frustrated that I couldn’t sort out my vocational call. Since I could fly for free, I chose destinations far from home to escape my troubles. Every time I traveled, the presence of God called me back into my life. Thankfully, I turned aside and looked!
“Each new encounter also brought a spiritual gift: appreciating new friends, hearing people pray through new forms of singing, or even observing a beautiful sunrise or sunset. The actions of God continue without end, and new callings upon our hearts, accompanied by spiritual gifts, await each one of us.”
Moving Forward: “In these final days of Lent, set aside time to listen to God”.