Take off your Shoes

 

When my husband and I were newly married, he still ran a business in his hometown, where his parents also lived, so we made frequent visits there. Their city was much bigger than ours, with so many better shops, cafes, and shopping areas—we always looked forward to those trips. When the girls and I drove out to their city, we often mapped out all the stops we had to make. We already had plans for where to grab lunch and which stores we definitely wanted to hit. We always started the day with a quick pop-in to say hello to my mother-in-law. We'd stand in her doorway with our shoes and coats still on, just to see what she was up to. But every so often, my mother-in-law had this sweet, inviting way of convincing us to stay longer. "Come on, take off your shoes," she'd say. "You absolutely have to try this tasty dish I prepared." 

My girls already knew that if the shoes came off, our lunch and shopping plans were cancelled. Taking off our shoes was more than just keeping her floors clean; it was a way to honor her request and accept her invitation to spend more time together. And she always made it worthwhile. Her delicious, authentic dishes always made you forget about any other lunch plans or cravings.

This week, as I was studying a passage about Moses, I was reminded of my mother-in-law. Moses was wandering in the wilderness when he noticed something extraordinary—a burning bush. As he approached, God spoke to him, inviting Moses into His presence.

God said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet [out of respect], because the place on which you are standing is holy ground." (Ex. 3:5 Am.)

I'm convinced that taking off the shoes was more than just maintaining cleanliness. Yes, God's presence is Holy ground, and we should approach him with reverence. But I also come to realize that entering his presence means honoring His requests. It calls for a willingness to linger in his company for a while. There were moments in the Bible when God called his people to keep their shoes on and ready to be on the move. But this time, he was calling them to take them off and stay for a while. 

It also means being prepared to set aside all our plans and ambitions and embrace his desires for us. He promises to make it worthwhile. We will soon learn that His presence can satisfy the deepest needs in our hearts far more than anything this world can offer.