The Transformation

How many times had he walked on this path, twenty, forty, a hundred? It was his favorite location, and he thought he knew every landmark. He was sure he remembered every tree, rock, and bush. Today, it was as if someone rearranged everything and right in the middle of his path was a bush he had never seen before.

Turning to examine it further, it burst into flames. He jumped as the flames flashed from the branches. The sheep were startled too. A few fell over while the rest ran to the nearest tree and huddled together in fear. The shepherd wanted to go comfort the sheep, but the flames drew him closer. While walking around the bush, he tilted his head to one side, trying to make out the strange noise he heard. Suddenly, all the sounds blended into one voice, and it felt tuned to the right frequency. Then, a crystal clear voice began speaking to him.

“Take off your shoes. This is holy ground.” It seemed like the entire world stopped. The sheep were silent and even the birds hushed their singing. The only sound was the voice.

With his heart thumping in his chest, he worked at unlacing his sandals. He fumbled several times as his hands shook. Finally, they were off and he fell on his face in the sand.

“Moses, I have a dramatic rescue planned for my people, and you are in the middle of that plan. Go back to Egypt, talk to your cousin the Pharaoh. He will receive you, and I will tell you what to say.”

“Who? Me? No that isn’t possible. Do you remember what it was like the last time I was there? I made a fool of myself. I let my anger get the better of me. I killed a man. Remember? I’m a wanted man, a killer and a fool.”

Although not much was known about Moses during the early years of his life, historians are now uncovering some information about his heroics as a general in the army of Pharaoh. He experienced favor and popularity, yet one day as he was walking throughout the city, he saw an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew, and he killed him. We don’t know why he killed the Egyptian. Was he filled with anger and did he lose his temper, leading him to kill the Egyptian? Did he kill him because he stepped in and tried to rescue the Hebrew and got caught up in the fight? We don’t know, but that was the day that everything changed,

Isaiah 43:18-19
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” ESV

The transformation of Prince in Egypt to killer, happened in one day. But from killer to prophet took forty years. Then another forty years to hone his skill as a prophet and lead a mighty nation. In those final forty years, Moses understood covenants. He taught about them, explaining all the blessings and curses. He led by example, showcasing the transformative power of covenant in his own life as he transitioned from a killer to a prophet. Imagine what it was like to be transformed from a fugitive fleeing for your life to becoming God’s spokesperson. Imagine the fear of being caught and punished for your crime, or the fear of being rejected and misunderstood. To juggle all of those feelings and still stand before a nation of desperate people speaking with authority.

Imagine if that person were you? What if God spoke to you today? Would you tell God all the reasons you can’t do what he asks? Would you remind him of all of your mistakes, failures, and shame? What he did for Moses, he will surely do for you. He is in the business of changing people. Your past doesn’t disqualify you. No, it is the opposite. You have just what it takes to be used by him, because all he wants is someone who will say yes to him and forget their past. God cares about your future. He doesn’t see all your mistakes. He sees your transformation and what you can do once he is done with you. Oh look! I think I see your bush burning.

Exodus 3:10-12
Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be the token unto thee, that I have sent thee: when thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. ASV