Listen

When Moses finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses went into the Lord’s presence to speak with him, Moses would take the veil off until he came out again. When Moses came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see that the skin of Moses’ face was shining brightly. So Moses would put the veil on his face again until the next time he went in to speak with the Lord.

Exodus 34:33-35

Think

I was particularly thankful for the N95 mask I was wearing recently when my lips were so chapped I looked like I had failed to remove my clown makeup. (Full disclosure, I’m not a clown but I do know the fabulous Gracie Sparkles.) I realize people are bigger than this, but I imagined that whole week that all people would be thinking about when I was with them was my lips. Later, when I was safely at home with just my spouse, Kelly, the cat, and the dog, I had no need to wear the mask any longer. I could fully be myself, showing chapped lips and all.

I wonder if this is similar to Moses veiling himself in between the meetings with God on Sinai. Once he realized that his appearance had changed, maybe he couldn’t imagine others not being preoccupied with the glow whenever in his presence. So he veiled himself. And then, when he was safe in the presence of God, he removed the veil, knowing he could fully be himself.

Byron Vance

Pray

Dear God, give me the assurance to know that I need no veil, no cover, no mask, when I am in your presence.

Thank you for receiving me into space with you, just as you have made me.

Amen.

Go

Go into this day

with all your senses tuned

to experience glimpses of God’s glory

in your every day.