Sometimes it only takes one simple question in order to view a familiar Bible story in a different way. Consider, for example, the story of Moses and the burning bush, found in Exodus 3. Moses, of course, notices this bush that seems to be on fire, but is not burning up. When he goes over to have a look, God calls him by name and warns Moses to take off his shoes, for he is standing on holy ground. An entire conversation follows where Moses is called to be the leader who will bring God’s people out of slavery in Egypt.

            In reflecting on this story, Dr. Bruce Epperly asks a simple and yet profound question (from “Feed the Fire” in Sorrento, BC). He asks, “How many times did Moses walk past this same bush before he noticed it?”  In other words, how many times did Moses come into the presence of God, and not even notice?

            This question is not just for Moses, but for us. Do we notice when God “shows up”? Do we recognize when we are standing on holy ground in the presence of God?  Do we notice where God is at work in our lives and in our community? How many times have we walked past a “burning bush” and not even noticed?

            It seems so easy for us to get all caught up in our busy-ness and worries and miss the times when God is right there, ready to enter our lives and bring healing and wholeness. It seems so easy for us to close ourselves off and focus only on ourselves, thus missing those times when we might see God at work.

            At a workshop a few years ago, Kelly Fryer handed out newspapers from Winnipeg and asked people to look through them with two questions in mind: “What is God doing?” and “How can we help?” She was asking us to look for news that showed us that God was already at work – bringing healing and wholeness where it is needed the most.

            For most of us, this is a whole new way of looking at the news, for we tend to focus on all of the problems, rather than on signs of hope. Yet, the God who is revealed in the Scriptures is not absent, but is present wherever people of faith are coming to God in prayer.

            And so, where have you seen God lately? Have you seen God in a hospital room or in a care home? Have you seen God in an answer to prayer? Have you seen God in an offer of help or an expression of concern? Have you seen God in the delicacy of a flower or in one of God’s amazing creatures? Have you seen God where the hungry are being fed or the homeless are being given shelter? Have you seen God in Word and Sacrament and worship? Have you seen God in a follower of Jesus who shares God’s love with others?

            To me, the important question is not if God is present and active but whether we are open or not to noticing God’s presence and responding to it. You, too, might be standing on holy ground and not even know it. You, too, might be getting a call from God – or a message from God. You, too, are known by name and have been earmarked for salvation and renewal and love.

            At the very end of the gospel of Matthew, Jesus sends his followers out to make disciples and to baptize and follows that up with a promise: “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20). May we see the light of Christ wherever it is found, and may others see Christ in us.

                        In Christ,