As we gather to worship today we also come to congratulate and recognize our high school graduates. Perhaps at this time more than any other we think about decisions that need to be made that will affect their futures, like jobs, further training or education, marriage, etc. However, we know that most young people are making major decisions before they receive a diploma. We do know that throughout our lives we need to seek ongoing direction for our lives. Some adults in our congregations have recently faced some major decisions regarding moving and job changes, too.

Today, I would like us to use a familiar story of Moses to illustrate four stages of discovering God's direction for our lives.

Four stages of discovery:

I. Attention

While Moses was herding sheep God caught his attention with a burning bush. God used an otherwise insignificant bush to get Moses' attention. When Moses turned aside to see why this burning bush was not consumed with the fire God called to Moses. Read verse 4.

Has God caught your attention? He must if you are going to discover His direction for your life. He may or may not use something as dramatic as a burning bush. Are you honestly seeking to discover God's direction in your life for major decisions and more routine daily decisions? Do you spend daily time alone with God and His word? Do you spend time every day in prayer? Do you gather to worship the Lord each week? God may also get our attention through circumstances, through opportunity, through tragedy, and through other people.

Just because God has our attention does not necessarily mean we will need to make major decisions and changes in our lives. A while back I mentioned my seeking and waiting for God's choice for my wife. I waited several years before I found God's selection for me. I need to be attentive to the Lord to be serving God where He wants me to be. I like to stay put and persevere and often I have discovered that is what God wants. The important thing is to give God our attention. Back to Moses, recall that after God got his attention told him, "Do not come near, put off your shoes, … the place you are standing is Holy Ground."

II. Afraid

In verse 6 we find that Moses is afraid. Read. Moses knew about being afraid. He had been afraid when someone knew of his past. He was afraid of Pharaoh and ran away. Now he is afraid of God. When we turn from the world, from sin, and experience the living presence of God and hear Him call our name to come and follow Him, we too might be afraid with a Holy Fear.

In Proverbs 9:10 we read, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Jill Briscoe wrote, "We shall never have any trouble discovering His will for our lives if we are frightened enough of Him to make sure we find out." I think that is a great statement. Are you frightened enough of God to make sure that you discover what He wants you to do?

Perhaps some are saying to themselves, "God is my friend. I'm not afraid of Him." Moses WAS frightened in the presence of an awesome and Holy God. The very ground was made holy by God's presence He had a right to fear God and to cease to fear Pharaoh. WE too need a Holy fear of God, not a fear that causes us to run away from Him, but a fear of God that motivates us to be sure that we are doing what He wants us to do. This may cause us to ask some questions, the third stage of discovery.

III. Asking

After God has our attention and we are afraid enough of Him to make sure we discover his will, we, like Moses, may be asking some questions.

In verses 7 ff the Lord told Moses of the affliction of his people, of their suffering, and then told Moses that He was the one He was sending to Pharaoh to deliver God's people.
v. 11?   Answer v. 12
v. 13?   Answer v. 14,15
Chapter 4.1?   Answer 4:2-5
4:10   Answer 4:11

Many of God's people today are living in affliction and suffering. Around the world we see war, political oppression, starvation, terrorism. There are people who need to hear the Good News of Jesus who came to deliver us from sin.

You too may have questions when God says ______, I want you to represent me in the statehouse. ___________, I want you to serve me as missionaries in Indonesia. ____________, I want you serve me as a farmer, ________, I want you to serve me as a business person. ____________. I want you to serve me as wives and mothers. _____________, you are to serve me as teachers, ________ as a pastor, ______ as a doctor, as a computer technician, as a mechanic, as an artist, as a banker, as an attorney., as a nurse..

Ask questions of other people, of parents, pastors, teachers, guidance counselors, business people, etc. to find out what you can about how you might serve God. Of course, also ask God, and then listen to His response. This leads to the fourth step in discovering God's direction.

IV. Accepting

Accepting God's will did not come for Moses until he realized that God would indeed be with him. V. 11-12. Moses felt that he needed to know God better. He thought he needed to be able to explain who God really is. Chapter 4   signs to convince people to believe him or listen to him. - for other people, but probably mostly for convincing Moses himself.
4:10 Excuse - Here am I, Send Aaron.
4:11 Who made man's mouth?
4:11 Here am I, Send someone else.

God did provide Moses' brother Aaron to speak for him, but God was still calling Moses to the task of delivering God's people from affliction.

Four stages of discovery:
     Attention
     Afraid
     Asking
     Accepting

Moses did accept God's call. He went to Egypt to visit with Pharaoh as God directed. You might also notice that soon after accepting his call, Moses no longer needed Aaron to be his spokesmen.

I hope that each of you go through these stages of discovery seeking God's direction. Rather than say, "Here Am I, Send Someone Else" are you willing to say "Here Am I, Send Me?"

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