Exodus 3:5- He said. “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

For the past few days, this verse has been coming to mind. Let me set the scene for you as to the context of what is going on in this story. Moses was in the wilderness, tending the flock of his father-in-law. Suddenly he sees a strange sight. There was a bush that was on fire but not being consumed. He goes to take a closer look out of curiosity and from the bush he hears the voice of the Lord saying, “Moses, don’t come any closer. Take off your sandals for the place in which you are standing is holy ground.”

What has been going back in forth in my mind is the question, “what made that ground holy”? It was ground in the middle of the wilderness. I’m sure sand was covering ground for miles and miles andthat that sand was no different than any other sand. Other shepherds must have passd the same area, time after time, and not thought anything of it. So why all of the sudden was that ground now holy ground. The answer- because the presence of God was there in that moment. 

The reason this touched me so deeply is that at times I feel as if I am walking a wilderness land. Day after day I deal with people not being able to understand me because of my messed up voice and not being able to eat food that I long to enjoy. My circumstances seem harsh and I feel isolated. Reading this verse though I hear my Savior whisper, “Jessica, take off your sandals for the place you are standing on is holy ground.” My flesh seems to say “Lord, this place can’t be holy- it hurts too much; it doesn’t feel sacred it feels scary.” Jesus, in HIs love answers back, “Jessica, this place isn’t holy because it feels good or because it is extraordinary in the world’s eyes. It is holy because I am with you in it.” Oh, how my heart needed this reminder. Every place and every circumstance that a christian may find him or herself in, if the Lord has placed them there, is holy ground. 

You may be working hard every day at your job and every day you may go unnoticed and unappreciated. You may be a stay at home mom, dealing with temper tantrums and messy houses on a constant bases. You may be a single person waiting on the Lord to send you someone, all the while trying to be content with where the Lord has you now. You may be living in constant pain, seeing no end to your hard circumstances. You may be secretly praying for your hearts desire, while trying to be happy for others blessings. You may feel weary, not wanting to take one more step. The Lord wants to whisper into your heart today “Child, take off your sandals for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I am here with you in your circumstances. This place is sacred. It may seem ordinary but in reality it is extraordinary. It is the place where I have asked you to be, but it is also the place where you can experience My presence in such a deep way.” 

So today I want to challenge you, as I have challenged myself. Let us lay aside the burdens of this world (our sandals so to speak ) and let us bask in the fact that we have the privilege, on a daily basis, to stand on holy ground. May we remember that Christ has promised to “never leave us nor forsake us.” Every circumstance, whether it be mundane or overwhelming, is a chance to bask in the presence of the Almighty and to see Him come through for us in extraordinary ways.