1.13.26 – Your V-8 Moment

All biblical narratives are not merely historical tales of the past, but contemporary lessons for our own lives (Rom. 15:4; e.g., Gal. 3:29; John 8:39):

"For whatsoever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
(Rom. 15:4)

In our study yesterday, we highlighted the six women who are responsible for every spiritual lesson we have in our lives today, through the making of the man, Moses. Consequently, the story of Moses—the most important and most referenced biblical figure (848 times)—is no different. It is a timeless blueprint for our own inner journey.

Just like Moses, whose life at this point in the narrative was slow and tranquil, far away from Pharaoh and the enslaved Israelites, and then suddenly confronted with his burning bush and a new mission to change the destiny of mankind (Ex. 3), we too often find ourselves far away from our destiny. We are living in our own orbit, "shepherding our own flock," minding our own business, in our inner psychological wilderness.

But then, suddenly, we experience a "burning bush," or a "V-8," or a "God-burst-your-bubble" moment. A fire is ignited in our hearts, a light bulb goes off in our minds. The God of all creation, dwelling within, speaks to us about a larger mission in life.

Mark Twain—one of my dad's favorite writers (both of blessed memory)—said, "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." It is the day when you suddenly see your full potential and hence your full responsibility to both yourself and those around you. It is a moment of clarity when you know exactly what you are capable of and what you were created for. It is when you shoulder full responsibility for your destiny.

Which brings us to the inquiring mind's question: "How can I know that the voice calling me is real? How do I know that it is not a fantasy created by an imagined ego, a childish dream divorced from reality? How do I know that this is not the hallucination of the 'tin foil hat club,' or trauma protecting itself, but my personal call to greatness within His high calling (Phil. 3:8–14; 2 Cor. 4:17–18; Rev. 3:21; Matt. 5:17–18; etc.)? Maybe I need to go to an NLP specialist or a therapist instead of returning to Egypt and confronting my personal Pharaoh?"

One answer to this question is: when the fire burns and burns yet never consumes your bush, you know you are on the right path (Prov. 4:18). The light bulb never dims. The V-8 bottle never runs out. Your bubble pops, and all of a sudden life is clearer than ever, and it is not just a candy bubble filled with warm air. The voice inside me never falls silent. Then I know that this is more than a fantasy, but a mission. My inner fire and secret passion—my "heart of fire"—can never be extinguished, can never be placated by any alternatives. I can run, but I cannot hide, because the fire will continue to burn inside me.

Now, with that reality, I can be a Berean—test this moment with Scripture (Acts 17:11)—and hold onto what is good (1 Thess. 5:21). Then walk in the light I have been shown, regardless of how the physical environment around me responds (Ex. 5:22–23; Luke 9:62).

On this third day of the week, may each of us contemplate our next steps in our purposeful mission with the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—His name forever (Ex. 3:15).

Shalom,
Alan

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