The Beautiful and the Holy, an Invitation

“…,"I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, …’” Exodus 3:3 (NASB) It was the most spectacular sunrise I have ever seen, right here in Don Pedro, on my way to church last Sunday. I noticed the lighting before I even stepped out of the house and I just stood next to my truck for while just looking into the morning. By the time I made it half way to church on Lozano the morning sky had turned from spectacular to breathtaking. I pulled over, rolled down my window and was just transfixed. Bundles of sunrays streamed from behind the clouds whose edges seemed on fire, and as the sun rose the intensity magnified, it was breathtakingly beautiful.A few weeks ago Susie, my brother Andi, and I went to my parents and brother Friederich’s grave. After watering the flowers there we stood, Andi and I, arms around each other and I thought about what should have been but isn’t. This was the first time I had been to the cemetery with Andi since he had his stroke, which stole his health and career.  My brilliant brother Fritz lays buried there because a disease of the mind struck him down. My parents died too early because of heart attacks. I thought about my grandson who is in the hospital fighting for his life, still not conscious. Sometimes it is just so difficult to see the beautiful because life serves up so much loss, so much sorrow, so much grief, so much, maybe even too much.“ When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him … And he said, ‘Here I am.’" Exodus 3:4 (NASB). I should have gotten out of the truck. I should have done more than just admire the sight. I should have remembered to take off my shoes. I should have made the connection between the “marvelous,” the “great,” the “breathtaking” and holiness, His holiness. I should have recognized the invitation of the beautiful and have stopped to step into His presence. I saw, but I forgot to listen. I slowed down, but I didn’t say, “Here I am.”I don’t need more burdens, nor do I need more activity, or wish for more hours in the day. I need eyes to see God’s beauty, I need the good sense to turn aside to take in the marvelous, and wish for ears that hear Him calling and a tongue and heart that is quick to say, “Here I am.”To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Exodus 3:5 (NIV)