For many of us, our earliest and only understanding of feeling God’s presence was shaped by church services, quiet times with our Bibles, or moments of corporate worship. These are sacred and beautiful spaces, and rightly so! But as we grow in faith, we begin to realize that God doesn’t only show up in the ways we may have been taught to anticipate or expect.
The truth is: God is not limited to the familiar.
Elijah, the prophet, knew something about unexpected encounters with God. In 1 Kings 19, after fleeing for his life, Elijah hid in a cave. He was exhausted, scared, and spiritually drained. God told him to stand on the mountain because He was about to pass by. Then came a windstorm, an earthquake, and a fire, but God wasn’t in any of those. Instead, He came in a gentle whisper.
How many times have we missed God because we were waiting for the wind, the quake, or the fire?
Sometimes His presence is found in a deep breath during a stressful day. Sometimes it’s in laughter around the dinner table. Sometimes it’s in the ache of waiting, or the stillness of grief, or the creative process of painting, gardening, or making music.
God in the Unexpected
God is not limited by our methods or boxed in by “our doctrines”. He is infinite and intimate. He meets us where we are, sometimes in silence, and in the hum of everyday life.
A Faith that Makes Room
If we only expect God to show up in predictable ways, we may miss Him in the unpredictable moments where He’s longing to be found. A mature faith learns to listen not just in church pews, but in commutes, conversations, and quiet moments between the noise.
So ask yourself: What if the feeling I’m chasing has already been here?
A Prayer for Openness
Lord, help me to recognize You beyond the expected. Let me feel Your presence not only in worship songs and sermons but in slow mornings, deep sighs, and ordinary tasks. Open my eyes to see You in all things and remind me that You are with me always, and in all ways. Amen.
allgrowtogether, Christian life coaching. 