This question—What does it look like when God shows up?—was posed to me this morning. It has been nibbling at the corners of my mind all day. There’s no doubt in my mind that He is my constant companion. Admittedly, I don’t always live like it, but I know it’s true. (That’s another good question—what would it look like if I consistently lived out that belief? A good question for another day.) But what does it look like to realize that He’s here and at work?
At times, it’s easy to identify his actions—an envelope shows up with an anonymous encouraging note and the exact amount of money I’d been stressing over earlier. I just miss being part of a colossal vehicular accident—and not because I’m such a stellar driver. The tumor/disease/clot that was clearly there in tests and x-rays suddenly evaporated. I easily see those as God working with technicolor and a symphony. But what about today? What about an ordinary day without flashing colors and a soundtrack?
I think I don’t always acknowledge God’s presence and prompting when it’s more subtle. When the plane lands without a problem . . . when someone pops up on facebook chat and offers a random piece of information that makes 90 other pieces of information fall into place . . . when sleep is sweet and undisturbed . . . when answers creatively coalesce while I wake up in the shower . . . when the necessary song streams through my mind as I drive down the road . . . when an apt word is spoken at the right time . . . when you can delight a three year old with a baloon, a card, and a piece of candy . . . this is what it looks like when God shows up every day.
What does it look like when you notice God showing up in your day?
photo courtesy of emdot
12 responses to “What Does it Look Like When God Shows Up?”
Wow! You’re right – I don’t always remember that He is definitely working in my life even when i feel yucky – God is faithful – at times when things are not wonderful – God has not changed! Thank God his goodness does not depend on my faithfulness but on His.
I pray that I notice Him in everyday things – I notice Him in our friendship because I can’t think of very many times where we have ever set a schedule to talk and yet our world’s collide continually and that is awesome. It is a gift to recognize Him in things we see and smell and touch and hear and think everyday… He is everywhere and I love when I take a moment to slow down and experience His presence in the ocean outside my house or an extra pause in the middle of a much needed hug, the effort someone takes to reach out to me or the blessings of my next breath… I aknowledge it is ALL you Father God. Your Love is extravagant and LAVISH and in Excess, my Jesus. I would be so lucky to call you LORD but you, call me, a sinner, friend…. wow.
Well, it’s like gravity. You know it’s there, and you count on it, even when you’re not really noticing it. There are so many times when I am overwhelmed with His protection, or His ability to keep me walking when I just want to lie down and quit. And just as many times when the beauty of the Pacific Ocean takes my breath away, and I know He made it just for me. He’s my gravity, my unseen, ever present force that keeps me grounded and safe.
I like that! =)
That was beautiful, Ginger!
Thanks, Allie!
I’m so glad He doesn’t need me to be fully aware in order for Him to be fully aware!
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What a great post, Sheryl! Mark and I talk about this often–about how we should be making an effort to look for “God sightings” on a daily basis because those little things are often so easy for us to overlook. My daily God sightings are times when I really hear and follow His voice and watch how much easier it is to do it with Him instead of attempting to do it on my own.
Thanks, Kathleen! I find it hard to even think about when I’m stressed, but that’s definitely when I need to pay attention!
when my eyes are open enough to SEE Him working… and I respond to that… that is exciting to me.
“what would it look like if I consistently lived out that belief?”
i have to pray to remind myself to look at where God is working… my life would look different if I constantly expected God to intervene in situations I think… it would increase my peace
I think you’re right, Jenny—peace would reign. I would be so comfortable knowing beyond any shadow of a doubt that He is trustworthy and active.