The Day I Forgot to Take Off my Shoes
A few years ago, a mentor introduced to a simple practice to me while I spent time with him. I had seen him use it during teachings he'd give at camps yet that day, as we sat over tea, he grabbed a salt shaker and asked me,
'What's the Good News in that?'
I sat blankly at first thinking, 'Really? Does he want me to answer that?'
Those who sense the call to ministry long to engage, serve, and join individuals and communities. That within this call there is a draw to help people put flesh and blood to the message of the Scriptures they read and encounter - for people to be so moved and transformed that they are able to see their story in God's story.
The more time spent pursuing this call, in many ways, pastors become experts in finding, identifying, and sensing the Good News for others while neglecting finding it for themselves.
I had allowed myself to get scheduled in such a way that I was running from here to there with no time for listening and paying attention. (p.61)
It could be a matter of scheduling. It could be a matter of self-worth or an misinterpretation of Christ's teaching on dying to self. Whatever it is, it is easy to not see heaven crashing to earth when one is not stopping to look around and see all the goodness to be experienced here and now on God's good earth.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning writes:
Earth’s crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; but only he who sees, takes off his shoes—the rest sit around it and pluck blackberries. (p.64)
It started innocently, I had simply forgot. Then it became a habit. And before I knew it - it felt natural. I forgot to take my shoes off. Or maybe more truthfully, I forgotten how to remove my shoes in the midst of all the burning bushes.
God doesn't show up - God is. God has been experienced in earthquakes and fires, strong winds and a gentle whisper, in dreams and wrestling matches. Some have been fortunate to know in the midst of those experiences what is happening, others only in hindsight can they put words to what had occurred.Taking off ones shoes speaks in a unique way in our modern/Western context. To take off our shoes now, we quickly become aware of how our feet have changed. We realize how we have developed shoes that protect us from the elements - we are disconnected from the feel of dirt between our toes, the way calluses allow us to move in unique and helpful ways. We have lost a sense, a connection.
May we recognize Holy Ground right below our feet - for others and invite them to experience it. But may we also allow ourselves to do the same.
May we proclaim the Good News that surrounds us - for others and invite them to experience it. But may we also allow ourselves to do the same.
*Unless otherwise noted, the book that is referenced in these posts is from Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Barton.