Finding Holy Ground

Have you ever run upstairs to do something or get something, but when you got there, you couldn't remember what you came for? So frustrating and funny at the same time. My mom had a cure for this. She always told me to go back where I started and turn around three times. Whatever I forgot would come back. I thought that was strange until I finally broke down and did it. You know? It works! Go, mom!

Believe it or not, the Lord has a similar cure for helping us to take action. It’s called, “Take off your sandals!” (If you don’t have sandals on, take off your shoes.) Moses and Joshua were told by the Lord to take off their sandals. Moses heard it directly from God and Joshua heard it from the commander of the armies of the Lord. To take off your sandals or shoes means you have to pause, bend down, untie them and remove them. What does my mom’s and the Lord’s advice have in common? Both make us stop, take time to slow ourselves down and then listen.

Stopping to take off your sandals is inconvenient. You have to focus on the process of taking off your sandals, not on whatever you were doing. When the sandals come off, you’re staying put for a moment. Now you’re standing barefoot and can’t just move or run without stopping again to put on your sandals or shoes. God added one more piece to His advice. He said, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” (Acts 7:33) He just threw us the sweetest curveball.

You see, He knows our minds are racing and our bodies are moving to the beats of earthly life. He knows that trials and the pace of this life can easily drown out thoughts of Him and cause us to forget: He is the all powerful, all knowing God who walks with us through every step of life. Taking off our sandals causes us to slow down and step onto Holy Ground and into His Holy Place. This is where our mind and our soul become barefoot, stripped of self and earthly cares as we remember His love, His grace and His forgiveness.

So right now, take off your sandals and step onto Holy Ground. It doesn’t matter where you are because wherever He is is Holy Ground. Worship Him and let Him know how grateful you are for all He has done in your life. Pour out your heart and then listen. He will help you remember why He is God.

“Listen to this Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. Listen! Listen to the roar of His voice.” Job 37:14, 2 “Lead me, Lord, in Your righteousness.” Psalm 5:8

Prayer

Lord,
Give me the courage and strength to stop and take off my shoes. In the process teach me to sit still and just be content in Your presence. I lean not on my own understanding, but rather on Yours. Thank You for faithfully leading my life. Amen!