Know Your Calling

    I am a literal person. I have a hard time with poetry and people that do not speak with clarity.  I do not see the world in black and white, but I process things in a very analytical format.  This helps me see certain things clearly and miss other things all together until explained.  It drives me to make goals and not stop until those goals are met.  That is why I understand all too clearly the need to understand your calling from God.  God speaks to all His children in many different ways from His actual voice to whispers in the stillness.  I always wished I could hear Him audibly.  He speaks to each person in the way that they need to hear from Him, not necessarily the way we want to listen.  

    It took me a really long time to distinguish His voice over my self-talk.  For me it is a deep sense in my soul.  A moment by moment type of directing.  He speaks to me as I write.  I don't really get to know in advance what to expect, but it causes me to totally rely on Him instead of my own instinct.

    For Moses, he got to hear God's voice audibly.  God knew that Moses was happy with the status quo.  He found a life he was content in.  He had a family and was making an honest living without any of the political headache.  Why would he ever want to go back to any of that.  

    God gave Moses his calling through speaking to him by a burning bush.  It was not a normal fire because the bush was not consumed.  It was just aflame.  As Moses approached, God stopped him.  God gave Moses the boundaries that would become the pre-Christian faith/religion.  God was teaching how to keep things holy.  We have to approach Him humbly.  He does not frown upon inquisitiveness, but we have to have an open heart to receive whatever He tells us.  That is not always easy.  

    Of course Moses was afraid.  He was intrigued, but a little nervous too.  God had him take off his shoes to approach on holy ground.  We have to show respect.  God told Moses that He was going to use Moses to free His people.  That is not something Moses was going to jump for joy over.  He had not intention on ever returning.  God gave Moses very specific instructions: approach the Israelite elders first to get them behind what was about to happen.  Then go face the Pharaoh with no fear because God promised to be with him.  Lastly, when all the Israelites left, they would get the Egyptian plunder.  

    Who would want that kind of responsibility?  This was not going to be easy.  It would take a really strong faith not to be afraid to go against an entire nation and trust that you would not be killed in the process.  However, God did promise to be with him and to give signs to empower all His people.

    Another great thing about this story is this is when God really introduces Himself.  He had taken a few hundred years off from being with people.  He had to make sure Moses understood who He was and that everyone after would too.  He took Moses into the wilderness for three days to prepare Him.  That must have been an intense spiritual boot camp.

Exodus 3