A man wanted to feel the presence of God.
One day he demanded, “God, speak to me!“,
And a meadowlark serenaded with a song of its own.
But the man did not hear it.
In urgency, he called aloud, “God, make your presence clear!“
And the heavens replied with thunder, echoing far and near.
But the man, deafened by his clamor, remained unaware.
With eyes cast wide, he implored, “God, let me see you!”
And a star, in the vast universe sparked a little brighter.
Yet the man, blinded by his own light, didn’t see it shimmer clear.
In desperation, he exclaimed, “God, show me a miracle!“
And in that very moment, a child entered into the world.
But the man, in his anxiousness did not pay heed.
Desolate and yearning, he cried, “Touch me God, and let me know you are here!“
Whereupon God reached down and touched the man.
But the man brushed away the butterfly and walked on.
This story is an important reminder that God’s presence can be felt in the little things that we take for granted each day. More so in the electronic age, where the medium of communication has changed all around us. So I would like to add a last stanza:
The man cried out, “Lord, I need your help!“
And an email arrived with good news and divine inspiration.
But the man deleted it and continued to be sorrowful…
Lessons Learnt: Finding God in the “Ordinary”
What do we truly mean when we ask God to “reveal” Himself to us? It’s so easy for us to be caught up in the chaotic motion of life and miss the subtle moments of grace that are interwoven into our daily experiences.
In the poignant story we just read, a man repeatedly asks God for a sign of His presence. Time and again, God answers – through the song of a bird, the roll of thunder, the brilliance of a star, the miracle of life, the delicate touch of a butterfly, and even a timely email. Yet each time, the man fails to recognize these divine interventions.
It makes me wonder: How many times have we overlooked the blessings in our life simply because they didn’t appear in the way we expected?
God works in the quiet whispers, often times touching our lives when we least expect it. When we ask for miracles and do not receive the response that we want, do not turn to despair, but rather have a little faith.
We often have a preconceived notion of how we want God to act in our lives. When He doesn’t meet those specific expectations, we feel let down or even doubt His presence. The man in our story expected grand gestures, but God was there in the delicate flutter of a butterfly’s wing.
“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature.” – Romans 1:20.
So too should we attune our hearts to the quiet ways in which God speaks to us. Even tiny gestures like the gentle encouragement from a friend, a beautiful sunrise after a night of darkness, the unexpected help when faced with a daunting task.
Embracing Unexpected Blessings
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” – Isaiah 55:8.
Blessings come in all different shapes and sizes. Instead of trying to work out for ourselves whether or not something is a blessing, why not embrace all things as God’s creation and miracles, worthy of our appreciation and love.
In this fast-paced world, it’s a challenge to slow down and truly appreciate the moments of grace that God bestows upon us every day. The story serves as a reminder that God is always communicating with us, often in the most unexpected ways.
The next time you hear the chirp of a bird, feel a gentle breeze, witness a beautiful sunset, or receive an encouraging message, pause for a moment. Recognize it as a potential touch from God. And remember, just because a blessing doesn’t come packaged the way we expect, doesn’t mean it’s any less of a gift from our Heavenly Father.
Let us pray that we may always be open to the countless ways God reaches out to touch our lives, ensuring we never miss out on the blessings simply because they don’t look the way we expect.
