God in the Ordinary: Finding the Sacred in Everyday Moments

Many of us associate encountering God with extraordinary experiences — powerful worship services, profound moments of prayer, or stunning natural scenery. While God undoubtedly moves in these moments, He is equally present in daily life's simple, ordinary rhythms.

The challenge is learning to notice Him there.

What if we started seeking God in the everyday? What if we asked, “How might God be present in this moment?” while doing everyday tasks like brushing our teeth, waiting in line, or folding laundry? Cultivating this awareness can transform how we experience God, not just on Sundays or during designated quiet times but in the seemingly small moments of life.

Why Look for God in the Ordinary?

• God is Always Present

  Psalm 139:7 reminds us, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” The answer is nowhere — He is with us in every moment, even the ones we deem unimportant.

  
  

• Jesus Lived an Ordinary Life

  For most of His time on earth, Jesus led an ordinary life as a carpenter in Nazareth. He shared meals, worked with His hands, and walked along dusty roads. If God Incarnate dwelt in the commonplace, our everyday moments are equally sacred.

  
  

• It Deepens Our Relationship with God

  When we learn to recognise God in the small moments, we begin to cultivate an ongoing, moment-by-moment relationship with Him. Rather than compartmentalising our faith, it becomes interwoven into every aspect of our lives.

How to Notice God in the Everyday

Here are a few simple ways to start practising awareness of God in the ordinary moments of life:

1. Brushing Your Teeth: A Reminder of Renewal

Each morning and evening, as you brush your teeth, take a moment to reflect on how God renews you daily.

Pray, “Lord, cleanse my heart as I cleanse my teeth. Renew my mind and spirit for the day ahead.” This simple act can transform into a moment of gratitude and surrender.

2. Doing Laundry: Reflecting on God’s Grace

As you wash and fold clothes, consider how God washes away sin and clothes us in righteousness. You can pray, “Thank You, Lord, for making me new each day. Help me to wear Your grace and kindness as I go about my day.”

3. Waiting in Line: Practising Patience and Presence

Rather than reaching for your phone, view waiting as an opportunity to pause and recognise God’s presence. Pray, “God, thank You for this moment to slow down. Help me to be present and notice You here.” Waiting serves as an invitation to be still and trust in God’s timing.

4. Cooking or Eating: Savouring God’s Provision

As you prepare a meal or eat, take a moment to reflect on God as the provider of both physical and spiritual nourishment. Pray, “God, You sustain me in ways I don’t even recognise. Thank You for this meal and for nourishing my soul.”

5. Walking or Driving: Recognising God’s Guidance

Whether taking a stroll or commuting to work, use the journey as a metaphor for your walk with God. Pray, “Lord, guide my steps today. Help me to walk in Your ways and be mindful of Your presence.”

Making It a Daily Practice

The key to recognising God in the ordinary is intentionality. Here’s a straightforward challenge to incorporate this practice into your life:

Each morning, choose one mundane task you’ll use as a reminder of God’s presence. As you go through that activity, pause and ask, “God, how are You present in this moment?”

Take a deep breath and offer a short prayer of gratitude. At the end of the day, reflect on how this awareness shifted your perspective.

Final Encouragement

God isn’t just waiting for us in grand, spectacular moments — He is present in the sink full of dishes, the drive to work, and the morning cup of coffee.

The more we train ourselves to notice Him in the ordinary, the more we come to realise that every moment is sacred.

As you go about your day today, take a moment to pause and consider: how might God be present in this moment?

You may be surprised by what you discover.