Exodus 33:18-23 

Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence… But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

Last night our family did an overnight in a local area hotel. It was a spontaneous family fun night which included dinner at Taco Bell, watching an in-room movie, hitting the weight and exercise room, and swimming in the hotel indoor pool. By packing in our snacks and breakfast (and thanks to William Shatner and Priceline), it was a relatively cheap excursion with a family slumber party feel. The fact that we checked the kids into school slightly late this morning made it all the more delicious from their point of view. The fact that it cost just about as much as a Regal Cinema 3-D movie, popcorn and soda for six made it delicious for me! 

It was Katelyn’s first time swimming. She’s been talking about swimming for quite some time. When I say talking, I mean a few broken words enthusiastically spoken along with expressive eyes and an energetic imitation of the breast stroke. It’s hard to know what she’s actually experienced coming from an orphanage in Shanghai and all. 

The rest of the kids were in the pool in a flash. For some time she hung around the edges of the pool, mainly on the steps. Then she floated in a life ring for a while and allowed Josh and Amanda to kind of drag her around the pool. Once I finally got in, I held her horizontal on the surface of the water while she “swam” around. Too funny!

The biggest hit of all was jumping into Daddy’s arms. I had forgotten how little children love that. She stood on the edge of the 5 foot section hopping on one foot with excitement and then launched herself into the air over the water and into my arms while I stood in chest deep water. It made quite a splash. Every time she succeeded, I’d move ever so slightly deeper so she would have to extend her jump. She couldn’t get enough. Again and again and again. Squeals of laughter, shouts of “More” and “Again!” Today I’m not sure whether my arms are sore from messing around in the weight room or catching a little girl 60 times. 

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This morning I read about Moses. He desired to know God, to experience Him, to see Him with his own eyes. There was an intensity about his desire- a passion. This was the deepest longing of his heart, more than success or comfort or even his own life. He persisted and pressed to see God face to face, even though his wish could not be really be granted. In the end, however, God relented. He made a special provision so that Moses could experience as much of God as humanly possible. Moses saw through eyes of flesh more of the Divine Presence than anyone on earth ever has and his life and was forever impacted. In fact when Moses came down from Mount Sinai scripture says “his face was radiant (34:29).” It’s almost as if the prayer to experience more of God is something that God delighted to answer; as if God is willing to work around His own rules so that people can experience more of Him. 

Moses’ passion to know God challenges me. I wonder sometimes if my desire to know God isn’t really just a desire for my life to work better. That once I get my prayer answered or my devotional prepared or my needs met, then I’m pretty much ok or independent until the next crisis. Is God just another service provider for me? 

And then I think of little Katie; who for the joy of leaping will jump again and again into her daddy’s arms. So what if she can’t swim, so what if she’s blue with cold? More, more, MORE is the cry of her heart. 

May your passion for God drive you to leap into His arms again and again and again.