Morning Devotions: 3/29/10

This morning's bible reading: Exodus chapters 3-4

Moses has a holy ground experience.

For many of us, I think, holy ground refers to a physical, temporal place; a church, or a special place at the ocean or on a mountain top. For some it is possibly even a specific geography such as Jerusalem, or Mt. Sinai. I've come to believe that holy ground has far less to do with locations, and for more to do with spiritual experiences. Today's text confirms that with me. In the holy ground experience of Moses we find far less emphasis on the temporal location than on the spiritual ascent of Moses to God's purpose for him.

Moses begins his day as if it was like any other. He was a shepherd, and essentially he was at work. But, his holy ground experience makes a dramatic change in his life, one that will altar his existence from that of shepherding sheep to shepherding people. He begins the day with certain expectations, but by the end of the day he has a renewed sense of vision and expectation of a challenge before him that he must face. There is a challenging new path before him, but he is inspired and determined to see it through. His motivation comes from his faith that God will provide for him and lead him to the completion of this daunting challenge.

I've had moments like that in my life. They are few, but they are powerful. They are moments of clarity like that of finally finding the missing clue to a puzzle you've worked for a long time. Then, realizing it's that very piece which let's you see where everything else is supposed to go. These are holy ground moments. They are spiritual moments when God's passionate, life sustaining fire intervenes to provide renewed clarity to our very existence. They are often moments that are so profound and empowering that you can remember the details of the location, the weather, even the sounds and smells you were hearing at the moment.

There are a few of life's experiences that are common locations where holy ground often occurs. Falling in love, the birth of children, the loss of loved ones; these are all points within life when we might expect God to intervene with holy ground influence. But, I have found that the holy ground moments that occur when we least expect them can be the most profound.

When's the last time you sensed that you were standing on holy ground?

O God, thank you for intervening in my life over all these years. Thank you for those holy ground moments that leave me speechless at your amazing grace for me. Intervene in my life today, Lord, and set me on the path of your will. In Jesus' name. Amen