Embrace the Fire

The Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, yet was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.
And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush and said, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here am I.‘
Exodus 3:2-4

This week God just started speaking to me about this verse. I used to just look over this burning bush but God really challenged me to put myself in that situation. In the same way, God wanted to use a bush to speak to Moses, he wants to use us.

It’s when you go through the fire that God gets the glory. The question is are you willing to sacrifice your beauty for God’s glory? Are you willing to die to your comfort so that God can renew you?

It might not make sense. You have to fight against the voice that wants to argue with God’s process. We could ask God why did he need to use a bush to speak? It seems unnecessary, just like how God chooses people to be His representatives on earth. But that is God’s heart to use those most unworthy to be His vessels for transformation.

But first God has to transform us and our thinking. So don’t back down because you’re scared to get burned. God wants to burn off all that is of the flesh and bring new spiritual life. Just like the planned burns that are needed for regeneration, God is doing the same with you.

‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.’
Galations 2:20

 The fire is refining. It is a catalyst for change and transformation. God wants to destroy the earthly treasure you’ve stored up and replace it with fruit and blessings that are eternal.

You think you'll be tarnished, you think that the fire will stop you from moving forward. But God is improving you. God is replacing what you thought was great with what you really need.

‘For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.’
2 Corinthians 4:6-9

Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego you will come out not even smelling of smoke. You will be a signal of God’s victory.

Just like the burning bush, you will a voice in the wilderness calling out to the Moses’ of your generation.

You may not know what God is doing in the fire but just embrace it! Know that he is right there with you molding you and refining you. Getting rid of all the impurities. You will walk out cleaner than you went in friends.

‘But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.’
Job 23:10

Your fire, your trial is a WITNESS. That the same God that is with us in the mountaintop is with us in the valley. It may just be the spark that ignites the passion and call in others.

So would we be brave enough to be a beacon of light in a generation that needs not just the ordinary but an extraordinary display of God’s power?

Just wait. On the other side of your trial, your fire is promotion. Get ready to be an advocate, an ambassador for Him as soon as you exit. The King will want to talk to you.

They will be attracted to you on the other side of the fire. They won’t run from you but all want to speak with you. So walk into the fire and out of the fire with boldness. God is with you.