Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”
When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush,“Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.”
This famous passage from the 3rd Chapter of Exodus says it all. It may not be a literal burning bush, or a mighty earthquake, or a brilliant star in the night sky pointing the way. It may be a simple flower or blade of grass, a seemingly ageless stone, or the night-filled breeze across a hot, sweaty cheek. But know this…
As for me, God is best experienced outdoors.
I believe that much of the special blessing that is Wild Goose lies in it’s happening in the outdoors and not in some deluxe man-made structure. It is in God’s hotel and not in some resort complex or golf and country club environment.
Wind, Breath, Spirit…all can be found outdoors, in God’s glorious creation.
Some might tell you of how hot it was, how the sweat clung to you worse than the occasional tick that might make its way onto your flesh. Some might complain a little about sleeping on hard ground, or about dealing with some rain that passed through one evening.
But I will tell you this…
I know it will probably never happen, but I pray all my future meetings, conferences, retreats, and the like will be in the outdoors…in God’s wonderful cathedral.
And Moses said, “Here I am.”
Here I am, Lord…Here we are.
Breathe…feel the sun, experience the rain, enter community, and watch for the geese in flight.
