Exodus 3:12

And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

When I read the story of Moses and the burning bush, often I wonder what it must’ve been like for Moses. It must’ve been so strange, and with a wide range of emotion, I imagine.

A voice speaks to you from a bush that burns but is not consumed . . .

Says, “By the way, while you’re wrapping your mind around the fact that you’re hearing my voice, you should know that I’m sending you to the most powerful ruler in the world to tell him that you’re going to go lead a nation of people out of slavery.”

Moses asks then a series of relatively reasonable questions. “Why me? Who do I say sent me? What authority do I have to do this?”

God then says something of a comforting phrase: “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you:”

I’m sure Moses thought, “Yes! I get a sign! How cool! When I march into Egypt, I’ll get some fireworks, and I’ll know that everything’s going to be fine!”

But God says, “Your sign will be that once you’ve led the people out of Egypt, You’ll come back here and worship me on this mountain!”

In the words of Mike Pilavachi, “What flippin’ good is a sign like that?!” The sign comes after you’ve done the thing! After you’ve taken that step in faith; after you’ve burnt your bridges; after you’ve put your life on the line. . . .

Last weekend I went to Seattle, Washington, to a conference for Volunteers Exploring Vocation.  It was a really great time, and we were treated very well!  The idea of the conference was to get us thinking about vocation, either at all, or in a new way, and it definitely succeeded.  I began to think about the trajectory of my life, where it seems to be headed, the things I’m passionate about, and the things that God has gifted me with.

I also thought about the many vocations I already have: son, brother, friend, housemate, listener, encourager, musician, social worker . . .

And then, of course, I began to think about August. What comes then? What is the next step that God has for me?

This line of questioning, for me, brings a barrage of thoughts and worries. Where will I live? What will I do? How will I pay rent? What will people think of this choice? or that one?

I wanted a sign! A big one! An unmistakeable sign from God as to what I’ll be doing with my life! A voice booming from the heavens proclaiming my future!!! . . .

I got no such sign. . . .

Yet . . .

I received such comfort, peace, and strength in the promise that God will be with me.

There is no room for fear! God is going with me, and after I take that step, I’ll look back at how I got there and see God was there the whole time! Just as God has been in every other step in my life. I sometimes take inventory of those big steps, leaps of faith, and blind stabs at where God may be leading me, and most often in my life, the sign comes after you take the big step.

So, I would ask that those of you that read this, pray that God will continue to guide my heart in the way of his will, both in what I have yet to learn this year, and in whatever my next step will be; and that I’ll go boldly in the confidence of God’s presence in my life.

-grace and peace