Beyond the Words: Encountering the God of the BibleSample

Noticing God in Everyday Life

Have you ever looked right at something—or someone—without actually seeing them? Maybe you've scanned a room for your keys while they sat right in front of you. (The other day I searched for my phone...while holding my phone.) Or perhaps you've walked past a friend in a crowded place, completely missing their familiar face.

Sometimes, we do the same thing with God. He's right there with us, but we don't recognize His presence.

Even Mary Magdalene—one of Jesus' most devoted followers—didn't immediately recognize Him after the resurrection. Think about this: Mary loved Jesus deeply. She witnessed His crucifixion, went to anoint His body, and was devastated when she found the tomb empty. Yet when the resurrected Jesus stood right in front of her, she mistook Him for a gardener.

John 20 tells us she was weeping outside the tomb when Jesus approached her:

"Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"

Mary, supposing Him to be the gardener, begged this "stranger" to tell her where Jesus' body had been taken. It wasn't until Jesus called her by name—"Mary"—that recognition dawned.

Now, Mary deserves quite a bit of credit here.

Jesus was resurrected from the dead and she didn’t know that yet.

She went in grief to visit his tomb. All she knew when she arrived was that He wasn't there.

But let’s consider for a moment…

What prevented Mary from recognizing Jesus?

• Her expectations didn't align with reality (she expected a dead body, not a living Savior)
• Her emotional state could have limited her awareness of God being there with her (she was grieving, confused, afraid)
• She was looking for Jesus in one form, but He appeared differently

I see myself in Mary's story all the time.

God is present with me, but I fail to notice Him because:

• I expect Him to show up in certain ways or places and not others
• I'm so in tune with my emotions (good thing) that I forget to look for God being present with me in my feelings too (best thing)
• I misunderstand who He really is in that moment

Sometimes I actually do sense God's presence, but I misunderstand who He is in that moment—just like Mary did.

Sure, maybe I see Him there with me, like Mary saw Jesus standing there, but "supposed He was the gardener." I acknowledge His presence, but I forget what that means.

I can forget that the God who created the universe, who is Lord of all, the King of Kings is right there with me in my circumstance. I forget that the One who knows me better than I know myself, who loves me with an everlasting love, is present with me. And so I respond to Him differently because I've supposed He's less than He actually is.

But we don’t have to forget. We can remember who God is and what it means that He’s here with us.

Over the past four days, we've learned to see God in Scripture—as the purpose, the main character, and as the Author who converses with us. Today, I want to challenge you to take this same awareness into your everyday life.

God is just as present while you're washing dishes as He is when you're reading your Bible.

He's with you during frustrating conversations, mundane tasks, joyful celebrations, and quiet moments alone. The challenge isn't His absence—it's our awareness.

Sometimes we need Jesus to call our name, to break through our limited perspectives and help us recognize His presence.

And the beautiful part? He's eager to do exactly that.

How can you grow in noticing God throughout your day?

1. Pause regularly to acknowledge His presence ("God, I know You're here with me right now")
2. Adjust your expectations about how and where God shows up
3. Invite Him into every activity ("Lord, be with me as I navigate this meeting/conversation/task")
4. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you in ways you might be missing

The same God who reveals Himself on the pages of your Bible reveals Himself in your home, your workplace, and your relationships.

Like Mary, you might be looking right at Him without recognizing Him. But when He calls your name—in that quiet whisper to your heart, that unexpected insight, that moment of peace in chaos—you'll know it's Him.

The practices we've explored together—understanding the Bible's purpose, seeing the real people, focusing on God as the main character, reading with Him rather than just about Him—all prepare you to experience life with God more fully.

He knows you by name.

He sees you.

And He's inviting you to see Him too—not just in Scripture, but in every moment of your life.

Ready to bring this into daily life? It’s been a joy to walk with you through this plan, and I'd love to continue encouraging your relationship with God. Click here for complimentary access to “See God Everywhere: 15 Questions to Find God When Scripture Feels Dry.” These simple but profound questions will help you spot God's character in every passage, turn reading into conversation, and experience His presence both on the page and in your daily life.