Burning but not consumed

I was listening to an episode of The Grove Podcast with Jackie Hill Perry, my ears pricked up when I heard her read from Exodus 3:1-3 (CSB).

Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame within a bush. As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed. So Moses thought, "I must go over and look at this remarkable sight. Why isn't the bush burning up?"

Before I was a mum, I was a teacher. I remember being told at uni that we had to manage our time and stress really well, especially as early career teachers. The statistics we were shown said that about 50% of new teachers abandon the profession within the first 5 years. Many due to burn out. I was SO determined that I wouldn't become a statistic.

My first year of teaching also happened to be my first year of marriage. It was also my first year living out of home, first year living in a new state and first year at a new church. I threw myself head first into everything.

Teaching: English and Drama (which I am trained to teach), History/Geography, Wonder Women (elective) and Health (which I am NOT trained to teach).

Marriage/Home life: Managing groceries, cooking, cleaning, spending time with my husband, having pets, budgets, etc.

Church: Youth Bible study, Youth Sabbath School, Pathfinders (like co-ed Christian scouts), worship team.

Somewhere in the middle of all that was on my agenda, I dropped all the balls I was juggling.

Do you know what I thought as I read that passage about the bush burning but not being consumed? Much the same as Moses, why isn't the bush burning up? Or burning OUT?

Consider the situation. A natural object - the bush - when it is enveloped in a natural fire will burning up reasonably quickly depending on its size and condition.

A natural object - the bush - when it is enveloped in a SUPERnatural fire (the fire of God) will burn but NOT be consumed.

When you are running miles ahead, with your own agenda, plans, and in your own strength, trying to juggle all the balls and wear all the hats, it is no surprise when you burn out.

When you are burning with the fire of God's purpose and guidance, and remaining closely connected to Him, YOU WILL NOT BURN OUT. With God's strength burning in you, you will burn and burn brightly, like a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14) and you will not be consumed (Philippians 4:13).

The passage continues;

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, "Moses, Moses!"

You see, Moses didn't yet understand what was going on. He didn't look at the bush and say, 'Yep - I see you God. Cool trick!' He didn't understand the extent of what he was witnessing. As he approaches, God calls out his name, twice. 'Moses, Moses'.

God does that a bit.

Genesis 22:11 Abraham, Abraham

Genesis 46: Jacob, Jacob

1 Samuel 3:1-10 Samuel, Samuel

Luke 10:38-42 Martha, Martha

Luke 22:31-32 Simon, Simon

If you look at any of these examples, God calls a person's name twice and speaks some deep words of change into their lives. Be it a commission, or a challenge or a heart adjustment, God uses their name as a term of endearment. You can almost hear God's voice as he repeats their names. First for their attention. Second for their involvement/engagement.

The passage continues:

"Here I am," he answered.

"Do not come closer," He said. " Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."

God explains, 'because I am here, because I am present, this place is holy, set apart, supernatural. This phenomenon can occur. A bush can burn with my fire and not be consumed.'

If you are feeling tired, burnt out, taken for granted, overworked, overwhelmed... I want you to know that this is your burning bush moment. Step aside and take a look at how God is working around you. He calls you now.

Jamie, Jamie.

Stephanie, Stephanie.

Kyle, Kyle.

Sarah, Sarah.

Patrick, Patrick.

Don't labour in your own efforts and strength. 'Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28 NKJV).

N.