The importance of listening

I’ve got this theme of LISTENING going on. There is an importance that comes with listening. When we listen, we begin to know the other person. When we listen to God, we begin to know God. I think that’s pretty important stuff.

Last week, I wrote a blog, If you are listening, how does God speak? Interesting enough, God spoke to many back in the Bible days including Moses. Through these scripture stories, we can learn how God has spoken before and see how God is speaking today. Two weeks prior, I wrote a blog entitled, Are you listening? It became clear to me that I needed to be quiet, pay attention and listen in order to hear from God. I wonder if Moses was paying attention the day he came upon the burning bush.

Exodus Chapter 3 tells us a story of a shepherd tending his flock when he notices a bush burning in the distance. Although the bush is on fire, it was not disintegrating. Drawn by the mysterious site, Moses says, “l think I’ll go over there and check this out.” So he approaches the bush.

“When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

And Moses said, “Here I am.” 

“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.”

I want to point out a few things;

1. Moses was drawn to the bush. Have you ever felt drawn to something? Have you ever felt drawn to God?
2. God called Moses by name. God knew Moses, even though Moses did not know God. God knows you and knows you by name. Do you know God? 
3. God introduced HIMSELF. It would appear that God drew Moses to the bush in order to introduce HIMSELF. Has God ever drawn you in? And if so, could it have been to introduce HIMSELF? God already knows you by name, God wants you to know HIM. 

We all have a burning bush inside of us and it is drawing us in, whether we know it or not. In Genesis 1:27 we read, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”  Think about being created in the image of God. That God-image dwells inside of each and every one of us. I believe it is drawing us, loving us and speaking to us. I wonder how many times I just wasn’t listening?   

Just like God introduced HIMSELF to Moses, God longs to introduce HIMSELF to me and you. The Moses stories are a great place to learn about God and how God speaks to his people. We are his people. When you know someone’s name, it indicates you know them on a personal level. God knew Moses’ name. Moses wanted to know God’s name. So Moses asked HIM, “who should I say you are? ”  

God replied, “I AM who I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.”

This was their first meeting but it would not be their last. Later in Exodus 33:11, “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” Isn’t that what I want? Isn’t that what I long for? A friend. Friendship with God. An intimate, personal relationship with the Great I AM. Could it be as simple as just introducing myself?  

Let us pray:

Father God, thank you for knowing me by name even when I didn’t know YOU. Thank you for drawing me like that burning bush of long ago. I long to have a deeper relationship with YOU. A friendship even. Come and meet with me face to face, as one speaks to a friend. In Jesus Name, Amen. -M

ps – check out the song below. If you can’t see it, click the link to website and view from there.