“Moses looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then he said, ‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight and see why the bush is not burned up.’ And God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.’” – Exodus 3:2-4 (NRSVUE)
Many years ago, seminaries experienced an upsurge in inquiries from older applicants, most of whom hadn’t been inside a classroom in 30 years. Invariably, their personal essays began with some version of: “I’ve always felt called, but for X reasons, didn’t/couldn’t respond then. But it’s never gone away. I can’t not say yes anymore.”
It’s not just people wanting to be pastors. I’ve heard similar stories from other older people, too; people who were settled and largely satisfied, and yet for years had felt a desire to touch something deeper and more lasting. When push finally came to shove, these folks upended their settled lives to do—and become—something else, something more. It was hard, but it was good, and it was time.
Moses met God in a burning bush on the far side of the wilderness. There, Moses the shepherd became Moses the liberator. But the Bible never says the fire went out after Moses left that place. And it never says that the bush burned there for him alone. If the people I mentioned are any indication, the bush kept burning. Countless others met God there, too, early and late.
Never too late. Because some fires can’t be extinguished, some embers won’t die. Somewhere out there, or deep within, the bush still burns, the voice still calls. Perhaps to you.
Prayer
Blessed be the flames, the Calling One, the ones who come early, the ones who come late, the mission given, and the yes.
