“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

— Exodus 3:5

It wasn’t fun anymore. The drinking. The late nights, late mornings, headaches, and excuses. So on December 22, 1990, Robert checked himself into the hospital to detox as he began what is now a decades-long journey of sobriety.

What stands out most when he tells his story is that he distinctly remembers looking out his hospital window on Christmas 1990, watching the snow gently fall. In that moment he knew—not just in his mind but in his whole body—that God was telling him that everything was going to change.

There are moments in the Bible when God shows up in a striking way and things change. God meets Moses at a burning bush. God reassures Elijah at Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:7-18). God speaks and a dove appears at Jesus’ baptism (Mark 1:9-11). God speaks again at Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8). The Holy Spirit comes with the sound of wind and tongues of fire at Pentecost (Acts 2).

Have you had a time when you sensed the powerful presence of God and your life changed? Let’s ask God to help us be alert, aware, and awake to the ways he is working in us and in the people around us in his world.

Lord, your world is full of your glory, and sometimes you make us especially aware of your presence and what you are doing in our lives. There are times and places that can feel sanctified and especially holy. Give us eyes to see and wisdom to understand what you are doing. Amen.