A Barefoot Man’s SurrenderSample

Worship

The holy ground God referred to was not a place; the holy ground was God’s presence. Moses had been in this place before, with no need to humble himself or remove his shoes. But this time, God was there—and His presence changed everything. The presence of God makes ordinary places holy. Listen to that sentence again, thinking about your life. The presence of God makes ordinary places holy. Your cubicle or your kitchen is a holy place because of the presence of God. God does that in our hearts through the cross of Christ, and with our lives through our burning bushes. Our ordinary hearts and our everyday lives have the presence of the Holy.

Because he was on holy ground, God asked Moses to remove his shoes. Being barefoot is being vulnerable too. You’re most likely to go barefoot in your own home. At home you will kick off your shoes and relax because you know you are safe and secure. You don’t likely go to work barefoot, or hike or play basketball barefoot. But at home you forgo shoes because at home you can let down your guard.

Did you know that the place of greatest security in the world is the center of God’s will? It is not always worry-free, or trouble-free, but it is secure because it is where your holy Father calls you to serve. Think about little babies’ bare feet. They don’t need socks or shoes on those tiny feet because you, their parent, are going to keep them safe. You are not going to let their feet be scraped on a rock or set down on hot pavement. Until they are able to walk, a baby’s shoes are mostly for decoration, not for protection. Their soft, vulnerable feet are protected, even without cover. In God’s presence we are humble and ready to worship. In God’s will we are vulnerable but securely “at home.”

Moses drew near to God, and made himself humble and vulnerable as he worshiped barefoot. He did not want to run from the burning bush or extinguish it. He wanted to move in closer to the presence of God and respond to His holiness. God’s will is discovered in reverence and in seeking. In a vulnerable heart of worship we discover the God of “God’s will.”

Are you seeking God? Do you want to more deeply discover His will? The next time you see a burning bush— a sight or an opportunity that might be orchestrated by Him—pay attention. Draw near. Listen. Surrender. And respond to Him in worship. You might even want to slip off your shoes, reminding yourself that in His holy presence you are closer to home than you’ve ever been before, wanting His will. God’s will, nothing more, nothing less.

You can get Gregg Matte’s book by clicking on Finding God's Will.