"Take Your Shoes Off"

𝒲𝑒𝒹𝓃𝑒𝓈𝒹𝒶𝓎'𝓈 𝒫𝓇𝒶𝓎𝑒𝓇: 𝟣/𝟤𝟩/𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟢

𝒮𝒸𝓇𝒾𝓅𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒: Exodus 3:5

𝒯𝑜𝓅𝒾𝒸: "Take Your Shoes Off"

𝒢𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝑀𝑜𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝒴𝑜𝓊,

Yesterday, I was speaking with a female colleague and she and I exchanged customs that take place in our homes. We both agreed that we are "barefoot" type of people. However, with having males in my home, I'm not quite able to walk around without shoes anymore. Having grown teenage boys who play every sport from football, soccer, and basketball means tracking grass, dirt, and mud throughout the house. I may have mentioned in a prior entry that I am on the verge of (Obsessive Compulsive Behavior) OCD. Don't judge me though. But with that, shoes are not worn in our home unless they are house slippers or the popular term today, "slides".

Why do I not wear my shoes in the house? It's not for religion, it's not a custom, but it's a personal decision that was made so that we don't track dirt throughout the home. It doesn't totally prevent tracking but it cuts down additional germs coming into the home from the outside. I don't wear shoes in my home because I consider my residence a place of sanctity and purity and I respect my space.

Let's look at Exodus 3:5. It reads, ""Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."

In the third chapter of Exodus, we see Moses tending to the flock of Jethro his father-in-law. Moses then leads the flock to the far side of the wilderness, Horeb particularly, the mountain of God. An Angel of God then appeared to Moses in the form of a burning bush. Moses was a bit intimidated knowing he sees a bush on fire but in perfect condition. The flames of the burn did not consume the bush. So Moses went closer to the flame, out of curiosity. As God saw Moses, He called for him, from within the bush. God then tells Moses, "do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, for the place you stand is Holy ground".

God tells Moses He's heard the cries of his people and He's seen their oppression in Egypt. God tells Moses that He is concerned about their suffering. (MY GOD)!! Wow!! God says He has come down to rescue them out of the hands of the Egyptians. God is telling Moses he wants to use him to bring the people out of Egypt and into the land of milk and honey.

My favorite part is when God commands Moses to deliver a message to Pharaoh. Moses said to God, "Who am I" that You would send me? God said I will be with you. Then Moses says, well suppose I deliver this message. Who do I say sent me? God says, "tell them I Am has sent you". (JESUS)!!! I'm sorry, I'm shouting as I write!

The first order of instruction God gave Moses in this was to take his shoes off. Yes there is a literal example here, but most importantly, Moses had to follow the first line of business. Moses could have been disobedient by not taking off his sandals. But he did.

God is calling you to get in order. God wants you to first do the things He asked of you a long time ago. Get in order while you still have a chance. What simple instructions has God already given you?

I hear God saying to me today, "Monica, tell my people I hear their cries. Tell your Sister and Brothers I am with them". God sees the struggle you've been enduring. God sees the tears you've been crying in the midnight hours. God feels your pain and He knows your heart. God sees the oppression and the sorrow. Be bold in God. He is with you. Follow His instructions. Follow the voice of the Lord. Cut out distractions so you can clearly hear him. Though you may be under pressure, you will not be consumed by the flame. You will not be burnt and your clothes will not smell like smoke when this is over.

Father in the name of Jesus, I pray for every brother and sister who is suffering. I pray for every heart that is in pain. Father God help us to follow the simple instructions You have already given us. Father God hear our cry. Father God lift the burden off of us. Father God deliver each of us from not just oppression, but abuse, financial crises, unemployment, broken families, broken ministries, addictions, sickness, and mental anguish. Father God I know that You are with us always. Thank you God for never leaving us.

It's in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒,

𝑀𝑜𝓃𝒾𝒸𝒶