"Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who seeks takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries..."
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Matthew 11:28 (New International
I was reading today in an Exodus lesson by Scott Walker. He spoke of a Labor Day tradition with his father each year. They would tie buckets to their waists and proceed to the deserted hillside farm in western New York. Walker said they went there to pick blackberries, and also to run barefoot across the fields.The berry picking was not very exciting. Walker compared this with the cry out for delivery by the Hebrews from Egypt. God heard their cries and put into motion the events to bring them a deliverer. He did not make it happen immediately. It was many years in suffering and pain.
So many times we call out to God for relief or that He answers our faithfulness
now. We must remember the song of the little children....
In His Time.
In His Time.
God makes all things beautiful...
In His Time.
A prominent and gifted preacher, Phillips Brooks spoke of God's granting power to those he calls to a task. He iterated that "we should not pray for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks."
Scott Walker was at a turning point in his career. He felt he had bit off more than he could chew. He was moaning that he was not up to the tasks. This was even with his manager telling him that he was confident he had the right person.
What if Moses had not paid attention to the burning bush? His tasks was great and he was doubtful he had the ability. He wanted his brother, Aaron, to come with him and speak. God said he didn't need him but he would send Aaron anyway. God's promise was go and tell the Pharaoh to "let my people go" and that He would be with Moses
When we answer the "burning bush" messages which may come to us as a small quiet voice inside or some private calling: we can decide to pick blackberries in mediocrity or we can take our shoes off and run in the peaceful fields of His handiwork. There is... power... in the blood of the lamb and there is... freedom... in the surrender to His Will.
Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."[a] 6 So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"[b]
Lord,
Thank you for your constant companionship
and your compassion. The longer I live
I become more convinced that you are with us in all situations.
When we pray to you regularly,
there are no introductions necessary when we need help
or relief immediately. Grant Lord that we would pray
consistently and in the fashion you taught us. You indeed are our shepherd....
Amen
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