Holy Ground - The Rev. Martie Johnson

The story in Exodus of Moses and the burning bush is one of the most powerful and beautiful images of his first encounter with God. For many of us, it immediately brings to mind the movie The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston as Moses. Here is a fun fact many people don’t know: Charlton Heston not only played Moses, but he was also the voice of God speaking from the burning bush.

Moses sees a strange sight: a bush is on fire, yet the flames do not consume it. Naturally, he decides to take a closer look. As he approaches, God calls out, “Moses, Moses.” Moses answers, “Here I am.”

God then tells him, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is Holy Ground.” That is a remarkable revelation. Moses stands in an ordinary place in the wilderness, before what appears to be an ordinary bush. Yet because God is present, the place becomes Holy Ground.

How often do we stand on Holy Ground without realizing it?

We may think of it as reserved for churches and other sacred places. Yet Holy Ground can be found where we least expect it. Holy Ground is wherever we encounter God, especially when we are with someone who needs assurance of God’s love.

When we sit with someone who is grieving and take the time to listen, we stand on Holy Ground. When we offer a helping hand, provide food or clothing, or simply let someone know they are not alone, we stand on Holy Ground.

Moses’ story continues as God tells Moses that He has heard His people’s cries, seen their suffering, and decided that something must be done. He tells Moses that he has been chosen to save his people. Therefore, he must return to Egypt, the very place where he had been an outcast, and lead His people out of slavery.

Moses is understandably reluctant about this mission. He knows how difficult it will be. He asks God, “When I go to the Israelites and tell them that the God of their ancestors has sent me, what shall I say when they ask, ‘What is His name?’” God answers with those mysterious and unforgettable words: “I AM WHO I AM.”

What does that mean? God is the I AM who has always been, the I AM who is now, and the I AM who will always be. I AM is eternal and unchanging. But most importantly for Moses, I AM is with you.

God does not give Moses a detailed explanation or a step-by-step plan. Moses does not need to know exactly how everything will turn out. He only needs to trust that the great “I AM” is with him. 

Perhaps that is something we need to remember when God calls us to do something we don’t want to do. We don’t want to take on a project we know will demand a lot of time and effort. We aren’t ready to accept someone’s apology and forgive them. We wonder why God is asking so much of us. Like Moses, we ask, “Why me?” When we protest, imagine God saying, “I chose you, as I did with Moses, and I promise, ‘I will be with you.’”

Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to be my followers, let them deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” 

The reading from Romans offers a description of how we should live: “Let love be genuine; hold fast to what is good; love one another; rejoice in hope; be patient in suffering; persevere in prayer.” In other words, God calls us to make His love visible in the ordinary circumstances of our lives.

The road we travel is not always easy. Life is filled with moments of happiness and joy that we should cherish and give thanks for. But sadness will also come along the way. There will be times when we are hurting or step into an uncomfortable situation. In those moments, we must remember that we are not alone. God is with us.

I sincerely doubt God will call us from a burning bush. But one never knows the ways of God! But if we pause long enough to listen, we may find that God is speaking to us in the quiet moments, in the people we meet, and in the opportunities He places before us.

Perhaps the question for us is not, “Where can I find Holy Ground?” The better question is, “Where is God calling me to stand?” Wherever God calls us, we must remove our sandals and remember that we are standing on holy ground.

AMEN.