Assured and Guided

Moses protested, “If I go to the Israelites and tell them, ‘The God of our ancestors sent me,’ they will ask your name.  Then what do I tell them?”

“God said to Moses, ‘I AM that I AM.  This is what you are to tell the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’  . . . This is my eternal name, the name you shall call me for all generations.” 

Exodus 3:13-15

Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:

• This passage is part of the mystical story about Moses at the burning bush.
• Burning bush moments are pivotal, transformational events or experiences which provide divine guidance and assurance, even as they require us to step out in faith. Often, they call us to move beyond unsatisfactory conditions and circumstances.
• When we are called, as Moses is (whether to be one of God’s divine messengers or to complete another awe-inspiring task), we continually receive God’s assurance and confidence. Yet, we must remain connected to God to feel it.
• I AM is God’s name for Itself. That name also is ours, if we choose to claim it, because all of us are God’s beloved heirs, each of us created in God’s awesome image and likeness.
• Whatever we say with “I AM” has power to demonstrate in our lives because it is an affirmation, whether spoken positively or negatively.
• Sometimes we speak of ourselves unconsciously, saying things such as: “I am sick and tired.” Or “I am flat broke.” Or “I am fed up to here with this.”  Then, the result is often that we feel ill and exhausted, or despondent, impatient, and hopeless.  And that’s because we have taken the power of God’s name, our name, too, and directed it toward what we do not want to experience in our lives.
• Instead, when we consciously and purposefully use our “I AM,” we empower ourselves to step forward in faith to overcome and achieve far beyond our imagination. Then, we speak what we do want to experience. For example: “I am healing and resting well.”  Or “God is my Source, and I am meeting all my needs today and every day.”  Or “I am strong in faith and steady on my path.”

Contemplation Questions:

Ask yourself:

• When I reflect on my life now, what is my burning bush moment, no matter how small or insignificant it seems?
  • List, word, map, or illustrate what it is.
  • List, word, map, or illustrate what you are being called to do.

• When I reflect on my life now, what assurance have I been receiving?
  • List, word, map, or illustrate everything that feels assuring.

• When I reflect on my life now, what I AM statements do I say about myself and/or situations in my life?
  • Without analysis or judgment, list, word map, or illustrate everything you say.

• When I reflect on my I AM statements and speak them aloud, how do I feel?
  • Speak your I AM statements aloud to yourself and check in with your body.
  • Then, list, word map, or illustrate all the feelings which accompany the statements.

• When I reflect on my I AM statements and my feelings, which statements are positive (I want them to occur) and which are negative (I don’t want them to occur)?
  • Divide them into two (2) sections, one (1) for positive and one (1) for negative.

• As I continue to reflect on these statements:
  • Which can I eliminate altogether?
    • Erase, remove and/or shred them.
  • Which can I restate, so I more clearly and fully declare what I want?
    • List, word map, or illustrate the restatements.
  • Then, create a list, word map, or illustration that highlights the new statements.
  • Put the new statements in a prominent place so you can see and affirm them often.

• What are at least three (3) things I am willing to do to remain connected to God so I continually receive the assurance and renewed confidence I need to follow my call?
  • List, word map, or illustrate everything you can imagine.

As you work with this devotional, you may want to study all of Exodus 3, noticing how human Moses sounds in his doubt, uncertainty, and need for reassurance.  Yet, as further stories reveal, he overcame and achieved, again and again, as he followed God’s guidance.

Also, remember that our subconscious minds don’t know the difference between positive and negative; they only affirm what we tell them.  So watch your “I AM” statements, and reframe or restate them as needed.  Only speak what you want to demonstrate and experience in your life so you feel assured in following your own God guidance.

© 2021 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.