encounter, saturday

Saturday, May 16

Opening Prayer: May we be forever mindful today, O God, that you are in your dwelling place.  Give us full knowledge and awareness of your saving presence, a presence that surrounds us at all times and reveals itself in love, compassion, and truth.  Make yourself known to us today so we may dwell in you and you in us.  Amen. (A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God by Rueben P. Job, Norman Shawchuck, and John Mogabgab)

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-12

Journal: What do you think God is trying to say to you today through this story?  How might you be more attentive today for burning bushes in the midst of your daily routine?

Reflection:

 

     Isn’t it interesting that God waited until Moses had gone over to look at the bush before he called out to him from the midst of it?  I mean, what if Moses would not have turned aside and come over to see this strange sight?  What then?  Would God never have spoken to him?  Would he have missed his chance at this incredible encounter with God?  It kind of highlights the importance of paying attention and tuning aside doesn’t it?

     And I love that God calls to Moses from inside the bush.  God calls to him from within a created thing.  How fun is that?  It makes me wonder, "Where else might He be?  What things this day, or this moment, is He hiding inside of, just waiting to call out to me the minute I turn aside and go over to find Him?"  Could it be that everything in creation holds the possibility of such an encounter?  Could it be that if I pay careful attention I might find Him within most of the places and conversations and tasks and circumstances that I find myself in today?  And could it be that I might find Him hiding even in the midst of the hard things of this life?  Perhaps God even calls to me—to us—from within our sorrow and pain, all we need to do is look for Him.  For as soon as we do, we are likely to hear our names upon his lips and have to take off our shoes because we are standing on holy ground.  

Prayers

Closing Prayer: My God, in these quiet moments I caught a glimpse of your vision for me.  Inspire me, my God, to carry into the everydayness of my life all to which I aspire at such a moment as this.  May my faith have feet and hands, a voice and a heart, that it may minister to others—that the gospel I profess may be seen in my life.  Amen. ~Norman Shawchuck