Barefoot and trembling

The Bible tells the story of Moses in the book of Exodus 3:5. Where he first encountered the presence of God, at the burning bush. The story tells that when Moses approached this tree or bush that burned but was not consumed, God spoke to Moses saying "Take off your shoes, for the place you stand is holy ground." As the God of the universe spoke to this man who had fled from home out of fear. A man who seemingly had no country anymore. Had taken up with a sheep herder on the backside of the desert. Probably felt like God was a million miles from him. Might have thought himself had failed as to the prophecies he'd no doubt heard growing up. He probably at one time believed he would do great things for his people. But now he was forty years in this place and more than likely had given up on all those aspirations. But here he was after seeing this spectacle of this bush burning and hears this voice as the sound of many waters, a voice like thunder. Take off your shoes. Wow! So here is Moses prostrate before God, barefoot and trembling. In the Old Testament many things were symbolic as well as literal. Shoes speak of direction or purpose, our agenda. They also symbolize our authority, possession, ownership. When an agreement was made regarding the sale of land, cattle, or any type of property, the man selling the property would take off his shoe as a symbol of the sale, as if signing his signature. Now back to this picture of this shepherd, this ex son of Pharaoh, this would be deliverer, this Egyptian raised son of the tribe of Levi. Here is Moses on his face before the creator of all life. The Alpha and the Omega! The First and the Last. Jehovah, the mighty God. Here is Moses that had taken his shoes off, symbolic of his agenda , his authority and laying before this holy awesome God trembling. Oh, my Lord, This is what the church needs to see, a picture of truly surrendering all and falling prostrate trembling before the awesome, holy God of all things. Can we take off our shoes? Surrender complete rule of our lives to the one that gave us life? Can we tremble as Moses, or have a reverent awe of the greatness of our God? Jesus came to set us free. Jesus died that we could live. He is worthy of more than our half hearted worship. He is worthy of all our dedication. Friends, let's take our shoes off and tremble before the Lord, because he is worthy. Halleluiah!