Poem from Exodus 3

 

\

When I read the story of God calling Moses at the burning bush I think of the poem, Lost, by David Wagoner.  I invite you to slowly read and savor these words.

 

Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.

 

Please pray with me.

Here I am, God. Pause to notice what you hear, see, smell, and feel around you. Here, right here, You are God.  Here we are together.  I confess God, I often think that it is up to me to tidy up this place for Your arrival.  I often look around perplexed and puzzled by what You are up to and even more about how I might help rather than get in the way.  I often am baffled and bewildered in trying to figure how the mystery of life.  Help me today to stand still, to be here in this place listening for You, for You are here.  So help me be here, in this less-than-perfect but holy place, with You.  Thank you, God, for this day and my one wild, precious life.  Amen.