The Danger of Not Knowing
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to miss the sacred moments that surround us. We rush from one task to the next, heads down, focused on our screens, oblivious to the divine encounters waiting just beyond our peripheral vision. But what if we're missing out on something profound? What if, in our hurry, we're passing by burning bushes and holy ground without even realizing it?
The concept of "holy ground" isn't just an ancient biblical idea. It's a reality that exists wherever God's presence is manifested. In the days of the tabernacle and temple, the inner sanctum known as the Holy of Holies was set apart as a place of divine encounter. It was so sacred that only the high priest could enter, and even then, only once a year with extensive preparations. The presence of God was awesome and awful - in the truest sense of both words.
But holy ground isn't confined to ancient temples or miraculous manifestations like burning bushes. As the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins beautifully expressed, "The world is charged with the grandeur of God." If we have eyes to see, we can find facets of God's glory everywhere we look.
So why do we miss these holy ground moments? Three primary reasons:
1. We're distracted: Our digital devices keep our heads down and our walls up. Studies show the average smartphone user touches their phone over 2,600 times a day, spending around 4.5 hours daily on their device. We're so plugged into our virtual worlds that we're unplugged from the real one around us.
2. We're busy: Our days are packed with activities and urgencies. We're tyrannized by the urgent, leaving little time to "turn aside" and investigate the burning bushes in our lives.
3. We're unhealthy: When we're caught up in busyness, it's often the life-giving, soul-nourishing activities that get cut first. Our spiritual disciplines take a hit, leaving us malnourished and unable to recognize holy moments.
So how can we become more aware of God's presence and not waste these holy encounters? The story of Moses at the burning bush offers some insights:
1. Slow Down: We need to adjust to "God's speed." While we often equate godly action with lightning-fast movement, Jesus never rushed. He walked everywhere, setting a pace of about three miles per hour. When we slow down, we create space to notice what God is doing around us.
2. Behold: We must cultivate a sense of wonder and engagement with our surroundings. Moses "turned aside to see" the burning bush. It wasn't until he made this deliberate choice that God called out to him. How much might we be missing because we're unwilling to turn aside from our planned path?
3. Worship: True worship isn't about our preferences or feelings. It's about ascribing worth to God, regardless of the style or setting. As Jesus told the Samaritan woman, true worshippers worship in spirit and in truth. Worship doesn't satisfy our hunger for God - it deepens it, creating an appetite that overflows beyond a Sunday service and permeates our entire week.
The Psalmist encourages us: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name" (Psalm 100:4). This isn't just a template for formal worship services; it's an invitation to approach every moment of our lives with an attitude of gratitude and praise.
When we feel distant from God, it's worth asking: Who moved? Sin creates distance because at its core, sin is believing we know better than God. But there's hope. If we acknowledge our rebellion and return to God, Jesus makes reconciliation possible. As 1 John 1:9 promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Practical steps to cultivate holy ground moments:
1. Digital Detox: Try leaving your phone at home for a day or turning it off for 24 hours. Notice how it affects your awareness of your surroundings and your inner state.
2. Practice Presence: Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or gazing at the night sky, engage your senses fully in the present moment. Look for glimpses of God's grandeur in the ordinary.
3. Cultivate Wonder: Take time to ponder God's works, like David did in Psalm 40:5: "Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare."
4. Intentional Worship: Don't rush through your times of praise. Savor the lyrics, meditate on the truths being sung, and allow your spirit to align with God's presence.
5. Holy Interruptions: Be open to divine appointments that may not be on your agenda. Sometimes God's burning bushes appear in the form of a person who needs our attention or a situation that calls for our compassion.
Remember, you don't have to be special or perfect to enter God's presence. All it takes is a step toward Him. As James 4:8 promises, "Come near to God and he will come near to you."
In a world that constantly pushes us to speed up, perhaps the most radical act of faith is to slow down. To turn aside. To behold. To worship. May we all learn to recognize the holy ground beneath our feet and encounter the God who is always present, always speaking, always inviting us into deeper relationship with Him.
The concept of "holy ground" isn't just an ancient biblical idea. It's a reality that exists wherever God's presence is manifested. In the days of the tabernacle and temple, the inner sanctum known as the Holy of Holies was set apart as a place of divine encounter. It was so sacred that only the high priest could enter, and even then, only once a year with extensive preparations. The presence of God was awesome and awful - in the truest sense of both words.
But holy ground isn't confined to ancient temples or miraculous manifestations like burning bushes. As the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins beautifully expressed, "The world is charged with the grandeur of God." If we have eyes to see, we can find facets of God's glory everywhere we look.
So why do we miss these holy ground moments? Three primary reasons:
1. We're distracted: Our digital devices keep our heads down and our walls up. Studies show the average smartphone user touches their phone over 2,600 times a day, spending around 4.5 hours daily on their device. We're so plugged into our virtual worlds that we're unplugged from the real one around us.
2. We're busy: Our days are packed with activities and urgencies. We're tyrannized by the urgent, leaving little time to "turn aside" and investigate the burning bushes in our lives.
3. We're unhealthy: When we're caught up in busyness, it's often the life-giving, soul-nourishing activities that get cut first. Our spiritual disciplines take a hit, leaving us malnourished and unable to recognize holy moments.
So how can we become more aware of God's presence and not waste these holy encounters? The story of Moses at the burning bush offers some insights:
1. Slow Down: We need to adjust to "God's speed." While we often equate godly action with lightning-fast movement, Jesus never rushed. He walked everywhere, setting a pace of about three miles per hour. When we slow down, we create space to notice what God is doing around us.
2. Behold: We must cultivate a sense of wonder and engagement with our surroundings. Moses "turned aside to see" the burning bush. It wasn't until he made this deliberate choice that God called out to him. How much might we be missing because we're unwilling to turn aside from our planned path?
3. Worship: True worship isn't about our preferences or feelings. It's about ascribing worth to God, regardless of the style or setting. As Jesus told the Samaritan woman, true worshippers worship in spirit and in truth. Worship doesn't satisfy our hunger for God - it deepens it, creating an appetite that overflows beyond a Sunday service and permeates our entire week.
The Psalmist encourages us: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name" (Psalm 100:4). This isn't just a template for formal worship services; it's an invitation to approach every moment of our lives with an attitude of gratitude and praise.
When we feel distant from God, it's worth asking: Who moved? Sin creates distance because at its core, sin is believing we know better than God. But there's hope. If we acknowledge our rebellion and return to God, Jesus makes reconciliation possible. As 1 John 1:9 promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Practical steps to cultivate holy ground moments:
1. Digital Detox: Try leaving your phone at home for a day or turning it off for 24 hours. Notice how it affects your awareness of your surroundings and your inner state.
2. Practice Presence: Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or gazing at the night sky, engage your senses fully in the present moment. Look for glimpses of God's grandeur in the ordinary.
3. Cultivate Wonder: Take time to ponder God's works, like David did in Psalm 40:5: "Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare."
4. Intentional Worship: Don't rush through your times of praise. Savor the lyrics, meditate on the truths being sung, and allow your spirit to align with God's presence.
5. Holy Interruptions: Be open to divine appointments that may not be on your agenda. Sometimes God's burning bushes appear in the form of a person who needs our attention or a situation that calls for our compassion.
Remember, you don't have to be special or perfect to enter God's presence. All it takes is a step toward Him. As James 4:8 promises, "Come near to God and he will come near to you."
In a world that constantly pushes us to speed up, perhaps the most radical act of faith is to slow down. To turn aside. To behold. To worship. May we all learn to recognize the holy ground beneath our feet and encounter the God who is always present, always speaking, always inviting us into deeper relationship with Him.
Recent
Archive
2025
May
July
August
No Comments