Imagine going to work one day and God shows up.
That's what happened to Moses. God shows up as a blazing flame in a bush. What caught Moses' attention was that the bush is not consumed by the flame.
God identifies himself as the friend of his ancestors. Despite Moses' Egyptian schooling, he probably recognizes God from stories he's heard passed down in his Hebrew culture - even if it's taken as some fish story. After all, Abram would have a hard time keeping his encounter with God to himself.
But Moses' reaction is to God fear and shame. It makes sense. Moses is someone with a heavy conscience. Maybe he thinks it is judgement day. It is time for him to pay for his murder.
But God's request is unexpected. First, God ask him to take off his sandals. There are two ways to hear this.
If you think of God as a picky clean freak, then perhaps God is saying your shoes are dirty, and you are tracking dirt into my holy space.
But there is another way to hear this: that God is saying this is holy, welcoming ground. "Kick off you shoes and get comfortable. Let's not have anything between us, not even the soles of your sandals."
Write
Think about your faith story: how have you encountered God? In your experience with God, is God picky or welcoming?
Where in your life, relationship or circumstances, is God showing up to encounter you? Where do you most sense God's presence?
Who do you know is afraid of God?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about your experience with encountering his presence. Thank God for the way he makes you feel welcomed, the way he wants intimacy with you.
Pray about how closely you feel God at the moment. Ask God for the help you need, the reassureance of his presence, and the courage to trust his reasons for allowing the hard times.
Pray for your friend who is afraid of God. Ask God how you can help.
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way he welcomes you, and in the ways he empowers you to welcome others.