barefoot benedictions

“A messenger of YHWH appeared to him in a blazing fire out of a bush. He gazed, and there was a bush all aflame, yet the bush was not consumed. Moses said, ‘I must turn aside to look at this marvelous sight; why doesn’t the bush burn up?’ When YHWH saw that he had turned aside to look, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ He answered, ‘here I am.’ And God said, ‘Do not come closer! Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground!” – Exodus 3: 2-5 (JPS)

I’ve frequently tried to place myself in Moses’ shoes (or sandals) at this exact moment of his story. Whenever I do, I immediately feel a sense of fear and wonder. The kind of fear and wonder one gets when standing in the presence of something truly miraculous. I would probably pee my pants in terror at the sight of a fully engulfed talking piece of vegetation. I might just run away, never telling another soul about the experience for fear of what they might say. And yet, when I place myself in this scene, I also sense a curiosity. Is this really happening to me? Is God really speaking to me? What does God want with me? I’d like to think my curiosity would keep me from running away, but I can’t say for certain.

What I do know is that Moses didn’t run. He replied, “here I am.” With that simple acknowledgement, God instructs Moses to remove his sandals out of respect for what is holy – nature inhabited by the Divine Mystery. I’m struck by the mental image of Moses, barefoot and frightened, yet curious to know what the Voice wants with him. Many of us can relate to such naked vulnerability. Moments of fear and wonder, when life as we knew it ceased to exist and we emerged different than before.

When we were born.

When we’ve fallen in love.

When we were harmed by others.

When we’ve lost loved ones.

All of us at one time or another have been barefoot and terrified, humbled by this one broken and beautiful life.

Barefoot Benedictions is my attempt to share what I’m learning from my own spiritual journey. What I’ve seen when I’ve turned towards God and replied, “here I am.” Many posts will start with a question. Questions I’ve asked myself, asked God, asked family, friends, and teachers along the way. My hope is that you have similar questions, and spark new ones as well. I don’t claim to have any answers or revelations, only benedictions – reflections and prayers I offer to you, dear reader, humbly and with sincerity and love.

If the spiritual struggles I clumsily articulate in these posts provide you any sense of comfort or insight, I am profoundly grateful. I am still on this journey. Any observation or understanding shared here is my best thinking based on years spent in prayer, study, and in conversation. I encourage all of us to seek and find on our own. Remember, each human being is divine, complete with their own lived experience and unanswered questions. Consider this your invitation to embrace your own fears and doubts, take off your spiritual sandals, and stand. – James