Burning Bushes
If you are like me, you often experience God through seeing his reflection in the beauty of nature. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux said it really well: "I was between six and seven when I saw the sea for the first time. I could not turn away my eyes: its majesty, the roaring of the waves, the whole vast spectacle impressed me deeply and spoke to my soul of God's power and greatness."
While it looks like it is on its way out, this gorgeous Fall has impressed on me a Saint Thérèse-like appreciation of nature. We’ve had some nice weeks of crisp weather, bright sunshine and very blue skies, plus the amazing hues of yellow, orange and red foliage. The trees seemed to hang onto their leaves for a long time and gave us spectacular colors, especially all those varieties of Maples.
It’s no wonder we often feel closer to God when we are enjoying his creation. Only an awesome God who loves us very much could create such visual delights in nature.
"Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them. Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice before the Lord." Psalm 96:11-12
In addition to the Maple trees, I have been especially aware of the brilliant red color of burning bushes this season. I can look out my kitchen window and enjoy two medium-size burning bushes in my back yard. When traveling through town, I encounter hedges of this plant around homes and businesses. On my approach to home, the large burning bush on the west side of our house greets me in a spectacular way.
Mentioned in the Bible, the burning bush was a supernatural phenomenon described in the third chapter of the Book of Exodus. It is a powerful symbol, representing God’s miraculous energy and sacred light. God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and revealed himself as Yahweh. Moses was then commissioned by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land.
How nice to be reminded of our salvation history this Fall through the burning bushes. I will take it as a reminder of God’s all-encompassing love that consumes but does not destroy. He is a God of burning desire for us, who also gifted us with the fiery blaze of the Holy Spirit. He is an awesome God indeed.
