Stuck on Holy Ground

Last night  I turned out the lights of the Marketplace, put on my coat, and closed the door behind me. Once again, I was reminded of the power of gathering with people that know each other fleetingly, people who find their way to church on a night when it would be much easier to stay at home, and who choose to sit together in faith conversation. Did the earth move? No. Did a bolt of lightning deliver heavenly insight? No. Did the discussion take us out of our singular lives and remind us that God is at work? Yes. We still have to wear nametags which identify, but the impact of sharing thoughts and taking time to recognize that faith is a priority packs a big punch.

As I have said a number of times to a number of individuals, studies come and go, but the words shared in small group linger. We gain insight not only into others, but into ourselves.  Open hearts and open minds are vessels waiting to be filled. God worked in Egypt thousands of years ago, God heard the misery of his people, God continues to pay attention to our cries, our questions, our conversations. Though we are not spoken to through a burning bush as Moses was, we find ourselves spoken to by hearts that burn with passion for Christ.

As God’s people wander in the wilderness…be it in conversation, in the desert, or simply to a small room in the back of a church, we find ourselves on holy ground because God still meets us there.