Monday January 17, 2022

Today is Monday, January 17 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about breaking ground.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, in these first fifteen minutes of my day, I long to experience your presence. Come Holy Spirit, reveal how you want to break new ground in my life. Enable me to hear the unique message you have for me in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

I praise God and rejoice in his presence with the words of Psalm 26.

Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells. I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me. My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the Lord. Psalm 26:8,11-12

Pause and Pray

God’s call on the life of Moses begins when he is a young man. He is married to Zipporah and keeping the sheep for his father-in-law, Jethro, a priest of Midian who has seven daughters. Moses is out in the fields doing his job looking after the flock. He is working at his task and it is a day like any other day. At mount Horeb, he notices a curious sight and goes to investigate. His encounter with God is a groundbreaking event in his life. The incident is the beginning of a journey with God that will eventually require him to return to Egypt, free the Hebrew slaves and lead them through the wilderness back to Israel.

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” Exodus 3:1-6a

Moses was about his daily business when he met God. I consider fleeting “God-moments” in my everyday life, opportunities for me to experience God’s presence. I hope I am paying attention when God shows up. I want to experience God’s groundbreaking movements in my life. I want to know his guidance and have him lead me into my future. It is significant that Moses notices the curious sight of a bush that does not burn up. He is attentive and aware of God’s movement. He is not too busy with his own activities and responsibilities. I hope to be attentive and aware in my everyday life. It is significant that Moses decides to go over to the bush and see for himself. In his act of investigation, God speaks. How often has God beckoned me forward, about to call me, yet I have been distracted by my own priorities and objectives? The place Moses stands is holy ground and God invites him to take off his shoes. The sandals are removed in the holy place of God’s presence. Mose stands before God on holy ground.

Ask: What prevents me from hearing God’s voice and enjoying God’s activity in my life? Where can I find “holy ground” and what barriers do I need to remove to experience God’s presence?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, thank you for the good work you give me to do and the energy to complete my tasks. Forgive me when I am preoccupied with daily living and fail to be aware of your presence. I regret I do not always take time to experience your companionship. Please lead me to holy ground. Reveal the obstacles that prevent me from going deeper with you and help me remove them. I read the words of Exodus again and listen for the message you have for me.

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” Exodus 3:1-6a

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I carefully read this passage of scripture, I seek God’s fresh word for me today. In the new year I desire to grow deeper in my relationship with God and invite him to break new ground in me. Perhaps this groundbreaking journey with God begins by paying attention to where God is at work. Like Moses, I Intentionally go and look at what God is doing around me. Maybe God wants to teach me how to grow in awareness of his presence. Perhaps groundbreaking begins when I learn to stand on holy ground. Moses is asked to take off his sandals in that holy place. What might God be asking me to remove in order to be more reverent? To better experience his presence? What do the sandals represent for me? What can I do in my daily life to enable me to more fully experience God’s direction and guidance?

Pause and Pray

Lord, God, I invite you to break into my daily life and show me your glory. You are the God of my forefathers and foremothers and I worship your living presence. Come and interrupt my daily toil, disturb my routine tasks, and intercede in my activities. I bow down and worship you on holy ground. Amen.

Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. Joshua 5:14b-15

As I leave this time of prayer, I go with a renewed sense of attentiveness to God’s presence. I look for him today in my everyday encounters and interactions with others.

Amen