And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground – Exodus 3:2–5
Have you ever had a moment in life that stopped you in your tracks? A moment so unusual, so persistent, so attention-grabbing that you just knew it wasn’t ordinary? In Exodus 3, Moses has such an encounter — a bush that burned yet was not consumed. It is here that God calls his name, shifts his destiny, and launches him into the assignment of delivering a nation.
The burning bush was not designed to entertain Moses. It was designed to get his attention. In this season, God is still doing the same. He is calling for our attention, drawing us toward divine purpose, and stirring us toward assignment and destiny.
When God Wants Your Attention
Moses was not in a palace. He wasn’t leading an army or commanding attention. He was on the backside of the desert, tending sheep — living an ordinary day when the extraordinary appeared before him.
“And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.”
— Exodus 3:2
This was not just a miracle; it was a message. Before God sent Moses to Pharaoh, He needed Moses’ attention. Before Moses could walk into destiny, he had to pause, turn, and listen. The same is true for us. Sometimes God gets our attention through: 1. A persistent burden in our hearts 2. A problem we feel called to solve 3. A person we are drawn to help or learn from 4. A dream, vision, or idea that won’t let go
A sudden shift, interruption, or closed door.
Your burning bush may not be wrapped in flames, but it is speaking nonetheless.
What Is God Calling You to Notice?
If Moses had walked past the burning bush, Israel might have remained in bondage. Destiny often turns on one small decision: to stop and look. Reflect on these questions: 1. What is resurfacing in your spirit? 2. Who is God placing on your heart? 3. What situation refuses to be ignored? 4. Where do you sense a season shifting?
Your burning bush might be pointing you toward: 1. A business or ministry idea 2. A new assignment, transition, or calling 3. A person who needs compassion or help 4. A vision that brings glory to God 5. A problem you are uniquely equipped to solve
Is God Calling You Toward a Person?
Sometimes your burning bush is not a situation — it’s a person. God often draws us toward individuals for three reasons:
To Sit at Their Feet and Learn
Some people carry wisdom for your next season, and God highlights them so you can grow.
Ruth and Naomi – Ruth declared to Naomi, her God-ordained mentor: “Where you go, I will go… Your God shall be my God.” — Ruth 1:16 Through Naomi’s guidance, Ruth was positioned for destiny
Samuel and Eli – Samuel learned to recognize God’s voice through Eli: “Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy.” — 1 Samuel 3:8
Sometimes God calls you to sit, learn, and be shaped.
To Solve a Problem for Them
You may be drawn to someone because your gift is the answer to their struggle. David and Saul – David played the harp and brought relief to Saul: “Then Saul would become refreshed and well.” — 1 Samuel 16:23
David’s service opened the door to his kingship.
Joseph and Pharaoh – Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, and it changed his entire life: “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”— Genesis 41:38
Your promotion may be hidden inside a problem you’re called to solve.
To Mentor or Be Mentored
Assignments often come through divine relationships. Moses and Joshua Joshua’s leadership was shaped under Moses’ mentorship: “Joshua… did not depart from the tent.” — Exodus 33:11
Paul and Timothy – Paul calls Timothy: “My true son in the faith.” — 1 Timothy 1:2
Elijah and Elisha – Elisha received a double portion because he followed Elijah: “Then he arose, followed Elijah, and became his servant.” — 1 Kings 19:21
God may send someone to pour into you — or someone for you to pour into.
Signs God May Be Highlighting a Person
- Their name keeps coming up in prayer
- You feel prompted to reach out or reconnect
- You sense peace and alignment around them
- They awaken purpose or spiritual hunger in you
- You feel called to help, support, or learn from them
- God confirms them through scripture, counsel, or inner witness
Destiny is relational. The right connection can shift your entire direction.
What Moses Did — And What We Must Do
Exodus 3 reveals three steps Moses took when he noticed the burning bush:
1. Moses turned aside “I will now turn aside and see…” — Exodus 3:3
He paused. He paid attention.
2. Moses answered when God called, “Here I am.” — Exodus 3:4
He responded, not with excuses, but availability.
3. Moses removed his sandals — a sign of surrender, “The place where you stand is holy ground.” — Exodus 3:5
To step into destiny, he had to remove what represented an old journey. We must do the same — lay down fear, excuses, pride, and distractions.
Conclusion: Destiny Begins With Attention
Before Moses ever faced Pharaoh, he first faced the flame. Before he carried a staff of miracles, he carried a heart willing to listen. Your burning bush moment is not random. God may be:
Calling you to a new assignment
Shifting your season
Highlighting someone connected to your purpose
Preparing you to deliver and transform others
Pause. Turn aside. Listen. A new season often begins with a simple response:
