We move from Pentecost Sunday to Trinity Sunday. The Old Testament text for Trinity Sunday dovetails so nicely from Pentecost Sunday. It is Exodus 3:1-6.

Moses is being called to go back and lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt. Moses is not “young.” He had more of life behind him than in front of him. He had been raised in the palace but was now tending sheep in the wilderness. He is a refugee.

When this story takes place, Moses has come to Horeb, which the author of Exodus identifies as “the mountain of God.” It can be synonymous with Sinai, but what is far more interesting to me is this is the place where Elijah would hear from God as well. Then, on the Mount of Transfiguration Jesus would talk with Moses and Elijah. Moses the murderer, the refugee, the shepherd, was not “through.” God would summon him back to lead Israel out of slavery. God would summon him back to talk with Jesus and Elijah.

I probably have more of my life behind me than ahead of me. There have been wilderness times of my own making. God is not finished with me by a long shot. His fire still burns. His Spirit still calls.

The fire is the place where Moses is called. The fire is the place where Moses is purified. Moses is called by God in the midst of the fire. Moses will be led through the fire at certain points.

The response is always the key.

“Here I am.”

Will we hear? Will we answer? Will we turn aside?

He calls to us from the fire. It is not a matter of age. It is a matter of willingness to listen and respond.