Willing to Turn Aside
Key Truth | God often meets us in the moments when we are willing to slow down, turn aside, and give Him our full attention.
Key Scripture | “So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’” — Exodus 3:4 NKJV
As I was reading this morning and wrestling with God over a few things I’ve been praying through, I was struck by a familiar passage in Exodus and the story of Moses responding to the call of God.
“Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, ‘I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.’ So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’” —Exodus 3:1–4 NKJV
I’ve read this story many times, but there was one phrase I hadn’t really noticed until today:
“So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him…”
That stopped me.
Moses was already doing what he was supposed to be doing. He was tending the flock. He had responsibilities to take care of and work that needed to be done. He wasn’t standing around waiting for something spiritual to happen. He was simply living an ordinary day and faithfully doing the task in front of him.
Then something caught his attention.
A bush was burning, but it wasn’t being consumed. Moses could have noticed it and kept walking. He could have told himself he was too busy, that the sheep needed his attention, or that he would come back and investigate another time. Instead, Scripture tells us that he made a decision: “I will now turn aside and see.”
Moses was willing to interrupt what he was doing long enough to investigate what God might be doing.
He turned aside.
And when God saw that Moses was willing to turn aside, He called his name.
That has challenged me, because I wonder how many times I have been so focused on what I was supposed to be doing that I missed an invitation from God. Sometimes it isn’t sin or rebellion that keeps us from noticing Him. Sometimes it is simply busyness. We can become so consumed with the job, the responsibility, the schedule, the family, the ministry, or even the good things God Himself has entrusted to us that we fail to notice when He is drawing our attention somewhere deeper.
I’ve done it, and I know I’ll probably do it again. But this passage reminded me how important it is to remain interruptible in the presence of God.
There is something special about being willing to stop, pay attention, and turn toward Him.
Throughout Scripture, we see again and again that God responds to hearts that genuinely seek Him. Second Chronicles tells us that His eyes search throughout the earth for hearts fully committed to Him. Hebrews says He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Jeremiah reminds us that when we seek Him wholeheartedly, we will find Him. The Psalms describe God looking to see if anyone is seeking Him, and Jesus Himself says that the Father is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.
God is looking for people who are looking for Him.
Think about that for a moment. The God of the universe is looking for hearts that will turn toward Him. He is looking for people who are willing to notice, listen, seek, and respond when He draws near.
And sometimes that requires us to turn aside.
It might mean slowing down during your quiet time instead of rushing through the chapter you planned to read. It might mean sitting with one verse that keeps tugging at your heart instead of moving on to the next one. It might mean lingering in prayer when you sense there is more God wants to show you. It could mean responding to a thought, a conviction, a question, or even a person God keeps bringing to your mind.
Not every moment with God will look like a burning bush. Most won’t.
But I wonder how often we miss holy moments because we are waiting for something dramatic while God is quietly inviting us to pay attention.
There is a difference between reading the Bible and seeking God through His Word. There is a difference between saying a prayer and lingering long enough to listen. There is a difference between completing a devotional and allowing the Holy Spirit to use it to uncover something in our hearts.
We can do all the right spiritual things and still rush right past the One we came to meet.
So today, don’t be in such a hurry to finish.
Slow down long enough to notice what God may be drawing your attention toward. If a Scripture stands out, stay there for a while. If a question rises in your heart, bring it honestly before Him. If you sense Him stirring something, don’t immediately move on to the next task.
Turn aside.
Give Him your attention.
And when He calls your name, be ready to answer like Moses did:
“Here I am.”
I can’t promise that every time you turn aside you will receive a dramatic revelation or an immediate answer to whatever you are praying about. But I can tell you this: I have never regretted slowing down to seek Him.
Sometimes the greatest thing God wants to give us in that moment isn’t an answer at all.
Sometimes it is simply more of Himself.
Reflection
Prayer | Father, give me eyes to see where You are moving and a heart willing to turn aside. Forgive me for the times I have been so busy doing things, even good things, that I have missed You in the middle of them. Teach me to seek You wholeheartedly. Help me recognize Your voice, respond when You draw my attention, and be willing to stop long enough to listen.
I don’t just want to do things for You. I want to know You, encounter You, and walk closely with You. Make my heart sensitive to Your invitations, and when You call, let my response be simple and willing: “Here I am.” In Jesus’ name, amen.
Additional Scripture
Key Scripture | “So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’” — Exodus 3:4 NKJV
As I was reading this morning and wrestling with God over a few things I’ve been praying through, I was struck by a familiar passage in Exodus and the story of Moses responding to the call of God.
“Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, ‘I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.’ So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’” —Exodus 3:1–4 NKJV
I’ve read this story many times, but there was one phrase I hadn’t really noticed until today:
“So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him…”
That stopped me.
Moses was already doing what he was supposed to be doing. He was tending the flock. He had responsibilities to take care of and work that needed to be done. He wasn’t standing around waiting for something spiritual to happen. He was simply living an ordinary day and faithfully doing the task in front of him.
Then something caught his attention.
A bush was burning, but it wasn’t being consumed. Moses could have noticed it and kept walking. He could have told himself he was too busy, that the sheep needed his attention, or that he would come back and investigate another time. Instead, Scripture tells us that he made a decision: “I will now turn aside and see.”
Moses was willing to interrupt what he was doing long enough to investigate what God might be doing.
He turned aside.
And when God saw that Moses was willing to turn aside, He called his name.
That has challenged me, because I wonder how many times I have been so focused on what I was supposed to be doing that I missed an invitation from God. Sometimes it isn’t sin or rebellion that keeps us from noticing Him. Sometimes it is simply busyness. We can become so consumed with the job, the responsibility, the schedule, the family, the ministry, or even the good things God Himself has entrusted to us that we fail to notice when He is drawing our attention somewhere deeper.
I’ve done it, and I know I’ll probably do it again. But this passage reminded me how important it is to remain interruptible in the presence of God.
There is something special about being willing to stop, pay attention, and turn toward Him.
Throughout Scripture, we see again and again that God responds to hearts that genuinely seek Him. Second Chronicles tells us that His eyes search throughout the earth for hearts fully committed to Him. Hebrews says He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Jeremiah reminds us that when we seek Him wholeheartedly, we will find Him. The Psalms describe God looking to see if anyone is seeking Him, and Jesus Himself says that the Father is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.
God is looking for people who are looking for Him.
Think about that for a moment. The God of the universe is looking for hearts that will turn toward Him. He is looking for people who are willing to notice, listen, seek, and respond when He draws near.
And sometimes that requires us to turn aside.
It might mean slowing down during your quiet time instead of rushing through the chapter you planned to read. It might mean sitting with one verse that keeps tugging at your heart instead of moving on to the next one. It might mean lingering in prayer when you sense there is more God wants to show you. It could mean responding to a thought, a conviction, a question, or even a person God keeps bringing to your mind.
Not every moment with God will look like a burning bush. Most won’t.
But I wonder how often we miss holy moments because we are waiting for something dramatic while God is quietly inviting us to pay attention.
There is a difference between reading the Bible and seeking God through His Word. There is a difference between saying a prayer and lingering long enough to listen. There is a difference between completing a devotional and allowing the Holy Spirit to use it to uncover something in our hearts.
We can do all the right spiritual things and still rush right past the One we came to meet.
So today, don’t be in such a hurry to finish.
Slow down long enough to notice what God may be drawing your attention toward. If a Scripture stands out, stay there for a while. If a question rises in your heart, bring it honestly before Him. If you sense Him stirring something, don’t immediately move on to the next task.
Turn aside.
Give Him your attention.
And when He calls your name, be ready to answer like Moses did:
“Here I am.”
I can’t promise that every time you turn aside you will receive a dramatic revelation or an immediate answer to whatever you are praying about. But I can tell you this: I have never regretted slowing down to seek Him.
Sometimes the greatest thing God wants to give us in that moment isn’t an answer at all.
Sometimes it is simply more of Himself.
Reflection
- Where might God be trying to get my attention right now?
- Have I become so focused on responsibilities, routines, or even good things that I have stopped making room to simply seek Him?
- What would it look like for me to “turn aside” and give God my full attention today?
Prayer | Father, give me eyes to see where You are moving and a heart willing to turn aside. Forgive me for the times I have been so busy doing things, even good things, that I have missed You in the middle of them. Teach me to seek You wholeheartedly. Help me recognize Your voice, respond when You draw my attention, and be willing to stop long enough to listen.
I don’t just want to do things for You. I want to know You, encounter You, and walk closely with You. Make my heart sensitive to Your invitations, and when You call, let my response be simple and willing: “Here I am.” In Jesus’ name, amen.
Additional Scripture
- Exodus 3:1–4 — Moses turns aside, and God calls his name.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9 — The Lord searches for hearts fully committed to Him.
- Hebrews 11:6 — God rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
- Jeremiah 29:13 — Those who seek Him wholeheartedly will find Him.
- John 4:23 — The Father is looking for true worshipers.
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