What is the difference between those whom God is pleased in and those who show no evidence of his dealings? In considering this thought, I have come to the conclusion that the answer is encapsulated in how a single man responded to the dealing of God in his life.
Without a doubt, I believe that every man has these moments, but you do not read or hear about them because… they did not respond… and therefore did not become a beneficiary of the blessing found in a proper response to His call.
How does God call? We know that at times he has spoken in a way that was audible, or seemed to be to the individual involved. I think that often God speaks to men where they can hear, though those around would not hear it. Like Paul in his experience, everyone could testify what happened, but they did not hear the words which Paul responded to.
Often, the call of God is found in curious things that happen in our lives, and our response to this stimuli betrays our motivation and hunger.
Exodus 3:1-4
(1) Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. (2) And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. (3) And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. (4) And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
God looks at how we respond, and our response either qualifies us for the next step or cancels out the plan that would have unfolded. Thankfully, and gracefully, this happens more than once in our life and when we do respond properly is when it counts. I would hate to count the times that God may have been ringing my spiritual phone and He was either ignored, caller-id’d, or the ringer was off. However, I can point to a few times when the bush was burning, I was turning and God began to talk to me.
Destinies change in these “turning aside†moments… When you are willing to put what you are doing at the moment on hold and explore the unexplained occurances to delve deeper into that mysterious call.
Will you turn aside.
I have a word for someone today and it is this; God has been working around you trying to get your attention and has given me a word for you, “It’s time to give God some of your time so he can speak to you.†You can give excuses to me and yourself, but God sees them for what they are… they are excuses. When you could be seeking his face, you’re listening to the radio, reading books, surfing the Internet, talking on the phone or indulging some other thing you want to do. However, The bush is still burning.
Can you hear the crackle? Can you smell the smoke? Can you feel the heat? Can you see the flame? A fire that requires no fuel will not consume simple twigs and leaves, it has been kindled to consume a sacrifice of human portions.
What will happen when you turn aside?
For each one the specifics may be different, but the end result is a yielded vessel that God can use to bring deliverance to others. Always, without exception when God deals with human flesh, it is not just to meet the single need of the individual, but it is to prepare the individual to affect whole families and segments of society.
Will you turn aside to commune with the King of Kings?
He has a plan and wants to know will you heed his call and acknowledge his dealing. Look at what he did in the Bible.
He made one man and gave that one man all the power of his creation.
He called one man and gave him an evacuation plan and directions to restore life after everything died.
He called one man, and that one man defined a nation and even you are called the Children of Abraham.
One Man.
He used one Woman to bring deliverance when she took a tent stake and drove it through the forehead of the evil king.
He used one woman to bear the burden and deliver the child that would bring deliverance to the human race.
He used one man, John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord.
Why?
Each one turned aside and listened when God began to call. I don’t lay any less weight on what God would like to do with the person of whom this word is intended for.
God is wanting to share his plan with you, but he cannot use you and until you are willing to turn aside.
I hear the voice of the Lord calling me, so consider what you will do… I am going to check out that burning bush.
Scott Phillips is pastor of New Birth Pentecostal Church .
