“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

- Exodus 3:5-6

Wherever God is, his presence makes that place holy. Throughout the Scriptures, this reality calls for some kind of response.

In today’s passage, God instructs Moses to remove his sandals as a way to show reverence for God. Each culture and time has its own culturally appropriate responses that demonstrate reverence. We don’t shout in those places or steal souvenirs or take selfies.

But reverence is rare in our culture. We live in a culture where our consumer instinct is super-sized. We like to think of ourselves as the arbiters of which people and places merit our respect.

But in today’s passage, the Lord names the ground as holy, and doesn’t bother to ask Moses’ opinion on the matter. The Lord decides which ground is holy. Moses is invited to recognize the uniqueness and bigness of God and to respond appropriately.

We receive that same invitation. You are unlikely to have God appear to you in a burning bush experience today—or a burning photocopier or a burning smartphone or a burning…well, anything.

But God promises that he will always be present wherever we are. The holy God, who makes all things holy in his presence, is with you today in the grocery store, in the car, in your office space, in your kitchen, in the pick-up line to get the kids.

Will you pause today to recognize the uniqueness and bigness – the holiness – of God?

As a physical exercise try removing your shoes (if you can get away with it without freaking out your coworkers) and praying “God, wherever you are is holy ground. I recognize that you’re here with me right now. And I honor, respect, and worship you.” Then think of a 21st Century American way of showing respect or reverence and do that.