FAR SIDE

I’ve always loved the story of Moses' encounter with God in the burning bush (Exodus 3). During a recent reading I clued in on something I’d not noticed before: Moses had this experience on “the far side of the wilderness.” Where, exactly, is that?! And more importantly, why does it matter?

Both these questions matter because of what happened there--Moses encountered the holy in his life.

What if, metaphorically-speaking, ANY AND EVERY place or moment is actually a “far side of the wilderness” place and moment for us? Moses actually traveled to this story’s location. But, haven’t we been traveling all our lives to get to where we are? Doesn’t it feel like we’re in a wilderness? Many think one has to go to a physical location to best experience God...a church, synagogue or mosque...or at least some place special to us. But what if we don’t. What if today you and I are standing in exactly the same “place” as Moses was standing--on the far side of the wilderness?

Metaphorical or not, this story is archetypal of the human experience of the "holy" in our lives. It begs us to stop right where we are, to look around till we perceive the burning bushes that are all around us--and then look again--to see and hear the “holy” in them.  It implores us to “take off our shoes,” and dig our feet deep into the soil of our souls...to recognize that this very place is holy--and that this makes our entire lives holy--because God is present in and through them.

A few more what if’s: What if our creativity is our far side? What if whatever challenges we’re rising to, issues we’re dealing with or relationships we’re struggling with are our far side? What if wherever we encounter mystery, whatever causes us to ask, “Why?” or more, “Why is this happening to me?” is our far side?

And the biggest what-if of all: What if you and I are burning bushes? What if we’re the means through which God--the holy--is choosing to reveal itself in the wilderness of the world today?...inspiring it into life-giving mission and meaning?

Hello? 

TODAY.

LET’S GIFT THE WORLD & OURSELVES A GIFT.

LET’S TAKE TIME TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE THINK.