Grant Us Vision
“Grant us vision to perceive Your presence in the ordinary moments of our days."
Exodus 33:14 (ESV)
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
We often search for God in the extraordinary - in miracles, mountain-top experiences, and dramatic answers to prayer. But what if He's calling us to recognize Him in the ordinary moments that fill our days? God's promise to Moses echoes through the ages: "My presence will go with you." It's a promise of constant companionship, of His presence not just in the spectacular but in the mundane. The God who parted the Red Sea is the same God who walks with us through rush hour traffic, sits with us during our morning coffee, and listens to our inner thoughts as we fold laundry.
Advent is a season that celebrates the ultimate example of God entering the ordinary. The Incarnation wasn't announced to the world with a cosmic spectacle visible to all. Instead, God entered human history in the most ordinary way possible - as a baby born to humble parents in unremarkable surroundings. The Creator of the universe limited Himself to a human body, experiencing hunger, fatigue, and the full range of human emotions.
This profound truth invites us to look at our ordinary lives with new eyes. Where might God be present in the rhythms of your day? Perhaps in the warmth of sunlight on your face, reminding you of His sustaining love. Maybe in the smile of a stranger, reflecting the joy He takes in His creation. Or in the quiet moments before sleep, when your heart rests in His peace. Perceiving God's presence in the ordinary requires intentionality. It asks us to slow down, pay attention, and cultivate awareness. It invites us to approach each moment with a sense of holy curiosity, wondering, "How might God be present here?" This doesn't mean every moment will feel spiritual or profound.
There will still be days when the dishes pile up, deadlines loom, and traffic tests our patience. We'll face moments of frustration, boredom, and exhaustion. God's presence doesn't guarantee constant spiritual euphoria or an escape from life's challenges. But it does mean that no moment is devoid of sacred potential. Even in our most mundane tasks, most difficult interactions, and most trying circumstances, the opportunity for divine encounter exists. The ordinary becomes extraordinary not because it changes but because we recognize the extraordinary God who inhabits it with us.
Consider the implications of this truth. The God who spoke the universe into existence is present as you prepare your morning coffee. The One who holds all things together by the word of His power is with you in your daily commute. The Lord, who knows the number of hairs on your head, is aware of your thoughts as you scroll through your phone or stand in line at the grocery store. As we journey through Advent, let's challenge ourselves to see the divine in the daily. Let's look for Emmanuel - God with us - in our workplaces, homes, conversations, and solitude. Let's train our eyes to perceive the presence that goes with us always, transforming our ordinary days into altars of encounter with the living God.
Take a moment to reread today’s Scripture passage and then spend some time reflecting on the following questions:
Exodus 33:14 (ESV)
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
Think about your typical day. Where do you tend to overlook God's presence? How might you cultivate a greater awareness of His companionship in the ordinary moments?