Burning but Not Burned Out
Lessons from Moses’ Bush Moment
Key Verse:
“There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.”
— Exodus 3:2 (NIV)
Introduction: The Burning Bush and the Burdened Man
Moses wasn’t seeking a spotlight when he stumbled upon the burning bush. In fact, by the time he reached the wilderness of Horeb, he was a fugitive, a former prince turned shepherd, resigned to obscurity. But God often meets us in our lowest seasons—not in the palace of influence, but in the wilderness of surrender.
In that sacred moment, Moses witnessed something extraordinary: a bush engulfed in fire, yet not consumed. It burned—but was not burned out. This is more than a miracle; it is a metaphor for the calling of every pastor and leader. We are meant to burn with holy passion, but we are not meant to be consumed by the flames.
Recognizing the Fire That Doesn't Consume
The fire in the bush was not ordinary. It was God’s presence. In Scripture, fire often represents divine activity—purification, presence, and power. What set this fire apart was that it did not consume what it ignited. It was holy fire. It illuminated without incinerating. It called without exhausting.
For many pastors, the fire of ministry begins as a passion for souls, for truth, and for Jesus. But that same fire, when kindled by performance or people-pleasing, quickly turns into burnout. The difference between burning brightly and burning out lies in the source of the flame.
“If God be your partner, make your plans large.”
— D.L. Moody
Too many of us serve from our own energy, our own intellect, our own strategies—and eventually, we run dry. But when we serve from the fire of God’s presence, we are sustained. Moses didn’t generate the fire; he simply responded to it.
What Burnout Is—And What It Isn’t
Burnout is not just fatigue. It’s deeper. It’s a spiritual erosion where the fuel of purpose has been drained by the constant demand for performance. Ministry becomes mechanical. Sermons become recycled. Prayer becomes a duty. And joy fades quietly in the background.
Burnout often disguises itself as busyness. But God didn’t call Moses at a conference or a committee meeting. He called him in the stillness. God had to strip Moses of Egypt before He could clothe him with purpose. Burnout doesn’t usually happen because we’re doing too much; it happens because we’re doing too much without God.
“The enemy will try to wear out the saints. If Satan can’t stop your calling, he’ll try to drain your strength.”
— A.W. Tozer (paraphrased concept based on Daniel 7:25)
Lessons from the Bush
1. God Speaks in Obscurity
Moses wasn't in front of Pharaoh or preaching to the masses. He was alone in the wilderness. Don’t despise the seasons of silence. Sometimes God hides you to prepare you.
2. Sacred Ground Requires Stilled Feet
God told Moses, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground” (Ex. 3:5). We rush through ministry at the pace of the culture. But God invites us to pause, to bow, and to be still.
3. The Fire Comes First—Then the Assignment
Only after Moses turned aside to see did God call his name. Intimacy precedes instruction. The presence of God fuels the purpose of God.
4. Your Limitations Don’t Disqualify You
Moses tried to excuse himself from the call: “Who am I?” (Ex. 3:11). But the call wasn’t about Moses—it was about the One who called him. Burnout often comes when we believe the work depends on us.
How to Burn Without Burning Out
Return to Your First Love:
Revelation 2:4 reminds us not to forsake our first love. Reignite your affection for Christ, not just His work.Sabbath Without Shame:
Rest isn’t laziness. It’s obedience. God modeled it. Jesus practiced it. Don’t feel guilty for replenishing your soul.Preach to Yourself Before Preaching to Others:
Feed your soul before you feed your flock. We are not called to be spiritual entertainers but spiritual conduits.Surround Yourself with People Who Speak Life:
Every Moses needs an Aaron—someone to lift your arms when the battle grows heavy.Stay Close to the Fire, Not the Spotlight:
Popularity fades. Platforms shift. But the presence of God will sustain you through every wilderness.
Prayer Thought
Father, thank You for calling me not just to serve, but to walk with You. Remind me that I am not the source of the fire—You are. Help me burn with holy passion, not from pressure but from Your presence. Protect me from self-reliance. Deliver me from performance-driven ministry. May I never forget the sacredness of Your call. Keep me burning—but never burned out. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastoring Tip of the Week
Set aside one hour this week for what we’ll call a “Burning Bush Moment.” No phone. No laptop. No sermon notes. Just your Bible and your soul. Go to a place where you’re unlikely to be interrupted—a quiet corner, a trail, a chapel. Ask God one question: “What am I doing in my own strength that You never asked me to carry?” Write down whatever He shows you. Release it. Then pray: “Lord, re-light what’s gone cold.”
