Having visited several churches, it seems to me that, regularly, we don’t live our understanding that the sanctuary is holy ground. Few pause to prepare heart and mind before entering to meet with God in holy convocation. We enter the sanctuary as though habitually entering anywhere else.

Inside, we create an overwhelming atmosphere of idle chatter, laughter, and playfulness. Before the service starts, few, if any, are seen praying, reading the Bible, and engaged in spiritual conversation.

Now, I’m not advocating there be a quiet stiffness, with no room for any form of socializing. It’s understandable that we’re glad to see each other and want to greet each other, expressing happiness and concern for each other’s well-being. Absolutely, there should be joy and smiles among brothers and sisters. God loves that kind of stuff. But all that should be engulfed by an overwhelming sense of solemnity and awe. After all, the Lord is there! And we must not forget that He is the reason, the magnet that draws us there.

We come not to be entertained, but to worship and bless and be blessed by the One before us. That is the point. He is before us. And because of that, He expects us to act accordingly. Think of the time He was before Moses, speaking to him from a burning bush. We can draw from that experience God’s expectation, and the attitude we should have in His presence.

The Lord told Moses to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. What made the ordinary ground holy was God’s presence. He wanted Moses, and us, to know that holiness deserves to be reverently treated. Moses followed God’s instruction. Moreover, he was so impacted by God’s holy presence and by standing on holy ground, he hid his face. It seemed to be a sign that he felt unworthy; having been made conscious of his sinful presence.

I think the burning bush episode is a reminder that we need to check ourselves. We’re not all that, even being saved. We’re sinners in need of transformation as we come into the house of the Almighty. Though in western countries, it is not customary to take off shoes, it should be customary to stop and take off any notion that, in and of ourselves, we’re worthy to be there.

The sanctuary is not an ordinary place. It is holy. The time in it is not an ordinary period. That too is holy. I think sometimes we forget we’re in the Lord’s presence. It is not an occasion in which to be lackadaisical; to be indifferent. Humbleness is called for. An eagerness to hear God’s Word is called for. In addition to joy, let there be tears. Let there be sorrow. Let there be repentance.

Let’s take off our selfish, prideful selves as we inhabit the sanctuary’s holy ground. Let’s be conscious of God’s holy presence in all we say, sing, laugh, and do.