The View from Bolton Street

Dear Parish Family,

This week in the Old Testament reading, we are reminded of the unusual way that God called Moses. We read in Exodus that Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, and that he led the flock

"...beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed.

Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” 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.”

Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

This story has stuck with me for a long time. I have always thought that if he had not been curious enough to look at the strange sight of a bush blazing in flames though not consumed by them, Moses might have missed the voice of his Creator calling to him.

God does indeed call all of us to be and to do. Sometimes it takes a good while to discern what exactly that means. It is clear, however, that we must be open to being called and commissioned by God in order to hear the divine voice that summons us.

Stay curious, and continue to say “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening,” as the young Samuel was instructed to say to God. Perhaps it will require saying to God, “Not my will, but yours be done,” as Jesus said to God.

We all have different calls, and God has provided us each with the gifts we need to fulfill that call.

Of that I am certain.

Who is God calling you to be at this time in your life? If you are open to it, God will show you.

Keep your eyes open so that you don’t miss your “burning bush,” when the moment arrives.

Love and Light,

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