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Moses' veil, placing others at ease

Moses, the reluctant leader, did not have an easy time of life. Certainly he grew up with creature comforts  in the Pharaoh’s household, yet his loving parents were not the ones who raised him. Moses is a character larger than life, from the burning bush, to presence during the plagues, to teaching about manna in the desert, to mountaintop experiences with the 10 commandments and so much more. I don’t think he wanted the burden of leadership thrust upon him, but he answered the call and went where God led. Spending time in God’s presence, Moses grew close to God, able to talk comfortably and argue persuasively for his people. I can only imagine how much Moses wanted the people to know for themselves that closeness. Yet, Moses’ people were terrified. To make them more comfortable he wore a veil due shield his glowing face from his people. I cannot imagine hiding myself under cloth, in the desert heat, as a way to make others more comfortable, but that is just what he did. He did not seem to consider his own comfort as more important.
Good leaders put others at ease. I think of a pastor of mine, a large man, who would carefully lower his girth to sit on the chancel steps each Sunday with the children to share Dr. D’s bag to tell the children’s message. Servant leaders are those who are willing to do the dirty jobs since they need to be done, to place others at ease, like the school principal not afraid to clean up the front of the school on her hands and knees. 
Moses’ veil put others at ease, made him approachable.

The essence of hospitality is putting others at ease, making others comfortable. How can we place others at ease? Is it sitting on the chancel steps with squirmy kids? Is it keeping quiet on an opinion, but expressing a loving concern with positive words of shared values? Is it seeking out the person standing alone, apart during coffee hour? How is God calling you this day to put others at ease?

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