Barefoot
June 10, 2015 | by: Maureen Maniquis | 0 Comments
Posted in: Gospel Living
There come these moments in life when everything seems crystal clear. It’s like a clear night when the moon hangs big in the sky and brilliance floods your eyes. Your vision is sharp as it takes all things in and makes sense of them. These are special moments of clarity in the presence of a holy God where you know your rightful place of humility, bow and give thanks for the privilege of this revelation of glory.
But, if you’re like me, those moments happen far less than you’d like to admit. Much of the time I miss the moonlight because it’s outshined by the light of my flat screen TV. Living in the light of a virtual world seems to have the opposite effect. The artificial light narrows my field of vision to a confined space and obscures my depth perception. My reality has been transposed. How much of life do I really live this way? Do I see my precarious circumstances and play them out in my head to a worst-case scenario drama of epic proportions? Imagining all the possible endings, do I plot and scheme my way through life? How much of what is truly real do I miss?
If I am a new creature transposed by and filled with the Spirit of God are there really any mundane moments? Shouldn’t all of life be lived barefoot because all of life is holy ground in the presence of God? If I am honest with myself, I don’t live in the light of this truth, bowed low in humble awe before the Most High. My nature tends toward the virtual life of high anxiety and uncertain footing with my sandals strapped on tight! After all, one never knows what lies around the bend. But in all the preparation for all the possibilities, the quiet, holy moments are missed. How many more clear moonlit nights would I have if my heart were bowed low in waiting? In the waiting it’s more about the means than the ends. In the quiet waiting and listening is the discovery. In these moments, learning-ready hearts find glimpses of goodness and love that would otherwise be missed. The waiting becomes opportunities for my prayers to be filled with songs of worship, How Great Thou Art! There is value in the waiting that reveals the knowledge of the wisdom of the glory of God.
So, I say, let’s loose the sandals and kick them aside and ground our feet in Truth! “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified…for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.” Deut. 31:6
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Maureen Maniquis moved to Florida 10 years ago from Bern, Switzerland where she and her husband were living for 6 years while working at the American Embassy. While there, they helped plant an English speaking church in the heart of the city that still thrives today to meet the needs of expats who desire to be a part of a community of fellow believers. Maureen has been a part of the Restoration Church Core Team since its plant in 2010 and currently serves on the Hospitality Team and Prayer Team and will be a regular contributor to our blogs. She has published a book of her memoirs and is a passionate writer on Gospel living and pointing people to the heart of Jesus. maureenmaniquis-blog.com
