Moses stood before a burning bush. At 80 years old, his hands were weary from desert life. Though he was raised as royalty and tried to help his people, he was rejected and fled to the desert (Acts 7:25-32). His past efforts had ‘burned up’. Now, God was before him in a bush burning, but not consumed. Why? Because God’s work never fades. God was inviting Moses to be a burning bush for his glory.
Can you relate? Feeling weak, wandering, and waiting for God, longing for his presence? Let me assure you, God has given us a burning bush. We need not look any further than the glory of Christ burning on the cross.
Called for God’s glory
Moses felt unworthy when God spoke to him. He questioned, ‘Who am I?’ hoping God might change his mind, but that was exactly the heart God wanted, for God’s mission is not about the vessel. God’s glory does not need us any more than the burning bush needed kindling, and that is a great relief, for our glory is small and fleeting. If God’s glory depended on us, it wouldn’t be that glorious.
The great I AM is not lacking fuel for his glory. God’s glory precedes creation, so it certainly precedes any of our contributions. He isn’t vain, needing our attention, nor foolish to put the weight of his glory on us. Glory is part and parcel of God’s pre-existing triune nature (John 17:5). God’s glory already pervades the universe (Ps. 19:1). He doesn’t need to work to be glorious. It is who he is. The prophet Isaiah saw angels who testified that ‘the whole earth is full of his glory’ (Is. 6:3). The word ‘full’ implies completion and abundance. There is no space unaffected by God’s glory.
Rest assured, the fire of God’s glory will never burn out.
That means God’s glory is not a burden we carry. We are not hirelings who feed a hungry God. We don’t need to labour to give God glory; it’s already there. We need not slave for him or give him accolades like badges. He doesn’t need us. But, like Moses, he beckons us to behold. The foundational question is not, ‘What shall we do?’ but rather, ‘Whom shall we see?’
God unveils his glory
God revealed himself in spectacular ways throughout Moses’ ministry. Yet, not everyone believed. Pharaoh’s heart remained hard after many miracles. We, too, are surrounded by an unbelieving world, but its blindness will not last forever. The prophet Habakkuk prophesied that one day, ‘the whole earth will be full of the knowledge of God’s glory’ (Hab. 2:14). Though God’s glory is fully present, human sight is limited, and one day all will behold God’s fullness.
Imagine a museum filled with people waiting for an artist to pull the fabric covering off his work. Likewise, the Spirit must unveil our blind eyes to see his glory. And, when he does, we see the beauty of Christ on the cross, where God’s glory is fully revealed (John 12:23, 27-28). On the cross, we behold God’s fullness of love, power and wisdom. It is the ultimate burning bush moment that beckons us to join God’s global mission and reveal himself in all his glory.
After leaving Egypt and witnessing miracle after miracle, Israel remained rebellious. Moses pleaded for God’s mercy (Ex. 33). He wanted more than miracles. He wanted God’s presence, his glory manifest among his people. God answered that prayer. And, interestingly, though God did not show his face at that time, he did reveal it to Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration hundreds of years later (Matt. 17).
Now, we can see the face of God through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul said:
For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ (2 Cor. 4:6).
When God pulls back the veil over our hearts, we are able to see the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus, the glorious slain Lamb who reconciles God to man (Rev. 5:12). It seems counterintuitive, but God’s glory goes hand in hand with the scars on Jesus’ face, beaten and bruised, yet full of love and forgiveness. This is nothing short of a masterpiece, though confounding, for it reveals the essence of God, who absorbed our shame and poured out goodness, grace, and blessings. For some, it evokes disgust. For the saints, it brings us to our knees.
Proclaiming Christ
Paul was captivated by the cross, which formed the core of his gospel message (1 Cor. 2:2) and propelled his ministry. For Paul, the cross not only opened access to salvation; it was the path of transformation into the image of Christ. Paul said:
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18).
Paul knew that we become what we behold, and now, through Christ, we behold the glory of God and are transformed into the Image.
Missional saints, from Moses to Paul, have understood that God’s glory brings transformation, for where it is, there God is at work. This is a glory with endless depths and momentum. It leads us and empowers us to follow in its slipstream. It is an outgiving and outpouring glory, which propels us to partake in it and proclaim it.
Spectacularly, we partake in God’s glory through transformation by his Spirit. The sight of God’s goodness loosens our scales, softens our hearts, and we do not simply remain as staring bystanders. God’s plan is to make his glory known through Christ in us (Col. 1:27), and his glory radiates through his body and bride, the church. It is the joy of God’s presence with us that both motivates our coming together (fellowship) and our going out (mission). When we gather, we respond to the revelation of Christ who died for sinners like us. When we go out, we scatter the news far and wide.
For those in missions and ministry who are weary, wandering and waiting, this means rest. Take heart; God will accomplish his work. God’s mission is not about us. Yet, his glory will shine through us. Though we are broken vessels, we carry immeasurable worth. Our God is with us. And, one day, when all things are made new, the brokenness will be gone, but God’s presence shall remain.
That is truly glorious!
