How we come to God Still matters. Exodus 28 is a detailed account of the Priestly garments that must be worn to enter the Temple and the Presence of God. All the details about the garments and stones and bells can feel like alot when life is loud and messy and you're just trying to make it through the day. But the more I sat here this morning, the more it hit me....this chapter isn't really about clothes at all.
It's about how we come to God.
So back then, the priest couldn't just wander into God's presence however he wanted. He had to prepare. He had to be intentional. He had to recognize that he wasn't just showing up for himself, he was standing there on behalf of others. God was teaching them that His presence is holy, and you don't approach holy things casually.
And if we're being real... I think sometimes we do. Not out of disrespect, but out of familiarity. We rush in distracted. We pray while multitasking. We vent more than we listen. We come exhausted, frustrated, and expecting God to just meet us wherever we are without ever pausing to acknowledge who He is.
We don't wear priestly garments anymore, but how we come before him is still a thing. It's just not as specific to what we wear physically and more specific about what is in our hearts and minds. What we wear into his presence spiritually matters. I don't put on an ephod or a robe, but I do bring....
My attitude
My distractions
My assumptions
My wounds
My pride or my humility
God wasn't being nitpicky with the priests. He was teaching them reverence. He was teaching them that You don't approach him casually. You don't rush in without preparation. You don't carry his name without intention.And that still applies to us today.
Spiritually, we are dressing ourselves every day. We clothe our minds with what we think. We clothe our hearts with what we hold onto. We clothe our spirits with what we believe about God and ourselves. I can walk into prayer dressed in anxiety. I can worship wearing bitterness. I can open my Bible covered in distraction. And God will still meet me but He also wants to transform what I'm wearing. Because what we wear into his presence spiritually still matters.
Leadership, motherhood, ministry, every part of life, reveals how we approach God. Do I pause before I react? Do I seek Him before I decide? Do I come humble, or already convinced that I'm right?
Exodus 28 reminded me that God isn't asking for perfection but he is asking for reverence. A heart that will slow down. A spirit that prepares a place for him. Taking a posture that says, "You're God, and I'm not."
Jesus made a way for us to come boldly but bold doesn't mean careless.
So today and everyday, when we come before God lets be intentional about allowing God to show us what we need to take off or put on when we come into his presence.
Love Pastor Mandy
Ark of Hope Ministry
Daily Reading Exodus 28
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