Meeting on the Mountain
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, together with Moses' sons and wife, came to him in the desert, where he was camped near the mountain of God.
Exodus 18:5 (NIV)
Jethro crossed the desert with Moses's wife and sons to the camp near the mountain of God. A reunion smelling of gratitude: the father-in-law who sheltered the fugitive now visited the liberator. God uses in-laws, deserts, and mountains to stitch stories together. No exodus dispenses with hugs along the way.
The mountain of God as setting is no accident: there Moses would receive counsel and relief. Jethro would see the burden, teach delegation, and offer sacrifice. Gratitude that visits also serves. Whoever arrives thankful usually leaves useful. God's visits often wear relatives' sandals.
Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. Israel's liberator honoring Midian's shepherd. Greatness that never forgets who sheltered its flight is approved greatness. Gratitude has gestures: going out, bowing, kissing, asking after welfare. Simple ritual, attentive heaven.
Today, schedule your mountain meeting: who needs your grateful visit? Call, go, embrace, thank. And receive counsel as Moses did: a liberator's humility before an aged father-in-law. God speaks in reunion tents as much as in burning bushes. Keep ears open everywhere.
And visit gratefully: mountain meetings relieve valley burdens. Visit gratefully today. Mountain meetings relieve burdens.