Take Off Your Shoes
God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Ex 3:5
On Sunday, Jon Dean shared his story about connecting with God through a simple spiritual practice of taking off his shoes and walking barefoot to the beach. (and then he then took it a bit far and went jogging barefoot!)
He left his phone and his wallet and all but one key at home with his shoes. He walked out on the beach. And he experienced it as holy ground. He didn’t hear some loud voice. In his own words he said, “I think God speaks to me most in silence. I just feel more connected, more grounded.”
Jon Dean is just an average City Church person, but he’s following in the footsteps of Moses. God spoke to Moses, inviting him to recognize his humble location - out in the desert near a bush - as a place that was full of God’s presence. There’s something about having your toes directly on the ground - touching the dirt and grit and nature - that can help us reconnect with God through creation when the world seems so topsy-turvey.
Would you be up for trying this simple spiritual discipline this week? (It doesn’t have to go as far as jogs on the beach!) Try taking 20 minutes to go outside (which is allowed while sheltering in place). Maybe to a park or the beach or your front yard, even. Leave your phone behind, and anything else that might distract you. Take off your shoes. Breath deeply. Feel your toes. Enjoy the moment. (OPTIONAL: Maybe think about saying one of the three big words that constitute all prayer: Wow. Help. Thanks.)
And don’t forget to BREATHE each morning and evening - and perhaps some in between.
p.s. There’s a 30 minute worship and prayer time Wed evening hosted on Zoom from 7:00pm to 7:30pm (HERE is the link). Feel free to join us if you think that sounds renewing.
p.p..s. My kids (Bill, speaking here) were inspired by church on Sunday to go to the beach right after the service. I put my phone away until the end of the hour, but then snapped this as a visual reminder of encouragement and hope and groundedness in these crazy times.
