The Vision of God in the Bush
“Moses the great went to dwell in the desert. Come, seek
to follow his way of life, my soul, that in contemplation
thou mayest attain the vision of God in the bush.”
~St. Andrew of Crete
“This ‘vision of God in the bush’ is, like the Transfiguration of Christ on Mt. Tabor (Matthew 17:1-8), the Christian destiny. By diligence in seeking God we are purified, then illumined, and then see His light; and to see His light is to be engulfed and filled by it. (1 John 3:2) ‘Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.’ So wrote St. John, who had been a witness on Mt. Tabor.
...it is the same fire of God that Moses saw in the Burning Bush and that St. John saw transfiguring Christ on Mt. Tabor, which devoured Nadab and Abihu. People in earlier generations had more familiarity with the characteristics of fire than we do. Until a hundred years ago, there was no experience of light that was not provided by fire, whether candlelight, lamplight, or campfire. All scriptural references to ‘light’ assume the presence of fire.
Fire is brilliant, illuminating, and warming, but is also dangerous in its power. It must be treated with respect. Fire does not compromise or make allowances. In an encounter, any change that takes place will be on the part of the one approaching the fire—not the fire itself.
God is changeless by His very nature. If you approach Him, you are going to be the one doing the changing. (1 Corinthians 3:15) ‘If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.’ What in you will be burned up when you meet the light of Christ?”
~Frederica Mathewes-Green
to follow his way of life, my soul, that in contemplation
thou mayest attain the vision of God in the bush.”
~St. Andrew of Crete
“This ‘vision of God in the bush’ is, like the Transfiguration of Christ on Mt. Tabor (Matthew 17:1-8), the Christian destiny. By diligence in seeking God we are purified, then illumined, and then see His light; and to see His light is to be engulfed and filled by it. (1 John 3:2) ‘Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.’ So wrote St. John, who had been a witness on Mt. Tabor.
...it is the same fire of God that Moses saw in the Burning Bush and that St. John saw transfiguring Christ on Mt. Tabor, which devoured Nadab and Abihu. People in earlier generations had more familiarity with the characteristics of fire than we do. Until a hundred years ago, there was no experience of light that was not provided by fire, whether candlelight, lamplight, or campfire. All scriptural references to ‘light’ assume the presence of fire.
Fire is brilliant, illuminating, and warming, but is also dangerous in its power. It must be treated with respect. Fire does not compromise or make allowances. In an encounter, any change that takes place will be on the part of the one approaching the fire—not the fire itself.
God is changeless by His very nature. If you approach Him, you are going to be the one doing the changing. (1 Corinthians 3:15) ‘If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.’ What in you will be burned up when you meet the light of Christ?”
~Frederica Mathewes-Green
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