The Burning Bush Moment: Why 2026 Could Be Your Year of Transformation
We've all been there. January 1st arrives with fresh optimism, new gym memberships, and ambitious resolutions. By mid-February? We're back to our old patterns, wondering why change feels so impossible.
Pastor Dave opened 2026 at Courageous Church with a stunning revelation: this struggle isn't new. For over 4,000 years, humans have been making New Year's resolutions, dating back to ancient Babylon. This universal desire for change isn't cultural—it's something God wired into our DNA.
But here's where it gets interesting.
The Problem with Problems
Most resolutions fail because we're fighting problems instead of pursuing potential. The Israelites didn't end up in Egyptian slavery because they messed up—they were enslaved because their potential made them a threat. When you shift from "I need to fix this" to "I want to unlock that," motivation transforms completely.
Think about it: trying to pray together used to cause fights in Pastor Dave's marriage. When they only saw a problem, they wanted to quit. But when someone helped them see the potential—that praying together is one of the top three factors keeping couples together long-term—everything changed. They weren't just fixing a problem anymore; they were pursuing something powerful.
The Real Enemy: Busyness
The Egyptians didn't defeat the Israelites through cruelty alone—they consumed their time. Sound familiar? Tomorrow, most of us return to work. Email notifications turn back on. Screen time skyrockets. Life happens, and our best intentions evaporate.
One of the greatest threats to change isn't lack of desire—it's simply being too busy to notice where God is speaking.
Moses' Turning Point
At 80 years old, Moses was stuck in a cycle. He'd tried changing things 40 years earlier and failed spectacularly. Now he was just a shepherd, doing the same job day after day in the desert. Then he saw a burning bush.
But here's the key: burning bushes weren't unusual in that arid region. What changed everything wasn't the miracle—it was Moses' decision to turn and look closer.
The scripture says, "When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him." God was already there. But Moses had to give his attention before he could hear God's voice.
That one moment of attention didn't just change Moses—it changed millions and altered the course of history.
Your Burning Bush Is Waiting
What if God isn't waiting to send you a dramatic sign? What if He's already speaking through ordinary moments, and you just need to turn and notice?
Maybe it's that persistent idea you keep dismissing. That feeling you brush away. That word in scripture that keeps catching your attention.
Three simple steps unlock transformation:
Notice - Pay attention to the subtle differences
Step toward - Take action, even if it's small
Stop running - Face what you've been avoiding
This week, try something radical. Take a social media fast. Wake up 15 minutes earlier. Take a walk with God. Make yourself available.
Because Moses' transformation began with one simple phrase: "Here I am."
2026 doesn't have to be another year of broken resolutions. It could be the year you turn toward the burning bush.