Standing in Holy Places

"Do not come any closer, God said. Take off your sandals for the place where you are standing is holy ground." (Exodus 3:5)

"Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart who does not lift up his soul to an idol… He will receive blessings from the Lord…" (Ps 24:3-5)

What does it mean to be on Holy Ground? First it means that I must take off my sandals. I don't like to take off my sandals. Actually I don't even like sandals because I like to wear socks! I don't want to be so exposed. When I wear socks and shoes, I feel protected from anything that might harm me or make me uncomfortable.

But God tells me that its time to take off my sandals. In order to stand on Holy Ground, we must be willing to be "uncomfortable". I am learning this as I spend my days with the dying as a Hospice Volunteer. It's uncomfortable. I wonder what to say. What does one say to someone who may die any day? I don't really know, but God does. I find that when I walk into the room, God's Spirit goes with me. He leads me to offer a cold drink or a cup of coffee to the patient or a family member. He provides beautiful, sacred moments which compel me to touch a hand or speak a word of comfort or encouragement. With my "sandals off", I can walk on Holy Ground because I have to trust in God for my protection, my equipping, my confidence. It is only when I surrender and walk in humility that the "Christ in me" can reveal himself to those He places in my path.

"As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - you also, like living stones are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood…" (1 Peter 2:4-5)

We are God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12). Through our faith in Christ, we receive the righteousness that comes from God. God will lead us to do "right" unto others. Psalms 85:8-13 tells us "listen to what God the Lord says. He promises peace to his people….Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other... Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way…"

Walking on Holy Ground starts out as uncomfortable but turns to exhilaration. There is nothing like the joy that comes from being used as a vessel of God's love. He is love. He is forgiveness. He is mercy and justice. He created us so that we might be loved by Him and be equipped to pour His love into others.

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." (Psalm 87:11) An "undivided heart" is a heart solely directed toward God and the things that touch His heart. This is the place of the sacred and the Holy.

Lord,
Help me to take off the false protection of my sandals and trust in your everlasting love. Le me have clean hands and a pure heart. Lord, I want to stand on Holy Ground. I want to be present with you in your temple. Build me into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood. I want my heart to beat for the things your heart beats for. It is a sacred place where Your Spirit dwells, where your love flows. "Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep….How priceless is your unfailing love! Men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." (Psalm 36:6-9) As I stand on holy ground, I am aware of your presence. In it there is joy and peace. There is wisdom and knowledge. There is love and mercy for me and through me, for others. Standing on holy ground perfects my love. On Holy Ground, I am one with you . May heaven and earth be filled with your glory! Amen
"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells." (Psalm 46:4)