Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Acts 7:30-34 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

“Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning bush. When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight; and as he approached to look, there came the voice of the Lord: ‘I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses began to tremble and did not dare to look. Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have surely seen the mistreatment of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them. Come now, I will send you to Egypt.’

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Reflect

Growing up, I played soccer quite a bit. Before leaving the field after a game, most of my team would sit on the sidelines and take off our gear. We’d untie and take off our cleats, slip off our socks and shin guards, and switch to slip-on sandals. Often though, I’d pause and rest my tired, bare feet on the grass before slipping on my sandals. I can precisely remember how the cool grass under my feet and how I enjoyed it silently for a few moments. It was an experience one could easily miss, and probably most did.

In today’s reading from Acts, we are reminded of a time when God asked Moses to take off his shoes, for he was standing on holy ground. Perhaps Moses was asked to take off his shoes as a sign of respect. Or, I wonder if it was a way of posturing himself to experience that place as holy ground, similar to getting down on your knees to pray. It makes me wonder how often we stand on holy ground and are unaware. I suppose wherever we trod, we are in standing on holy ground in the presence of God. Maybe we just need to posture ourselves to become aware of it and experience it that way. I don’t know where you find yourself today, but maybe you need to take your shoes off. Put your feet in the grass. Posture yourself to become more aware of God’s immediate presence nearby. It’s something we can easily miss, and probably often do.

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Pray

Ever-present God, all too often we get so caught up in the busyness of our day that we don’t even notice Your presence around us. Interrupt us today, God. Continue to make Yourself known to us, and may we learn to better recognize and become more aware of Your very Spirit around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Go with God!