Advent Devotions

Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Steve Sveom.

The scripture reading from September 28 tells the story of Moses’ encounter with God in the burning bush.  Exodus 3-4 recounts this encounter with God who tells Moses to take off his shoes because he is on holy ground, in God’s presence.  God gives Moses a mission to return to Egypt to bring the Israelites to freedom from their slavery. 

The reluctant Moses objects – “who am I that I should go to Pharoah and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”  God’s response – “I will be with you.”  Moses then asks for God’s name because the Israelites wouldn’t accept him.  God responds that “I AM WHO I AM.”  Moses objects that he can’t speak eloquently.  God responds that God is the giver of speech.  Moses ask God to send someone else and God says that Moses’ brother Aaron will join him.  In each response God assures Moses that God is ever-present. 

Do we recognize God’s presence among us?  Do we hear God’s call to us to do the work of bringing freedom to God’s loved ones?  And, do we hear God’s promise to be present with us?

Aurora Leigh Book 7 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning alludes to Moses’ encounter with God:

Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries,

God’s is present in the common bush.  May we see and take off our shoes on God’s holy ground.

Present God: open our eyes to your presence in all the ordinary places of life.  Let us worship you and hear your call to love in your name knowing you will always be with us.  Amen.