Don’t Overlook the Miracle Moves in Your Mundane Moments
Life can often feel like a repetitive cycle – New Year’s resolutions abandoned by February, a single week of “vacation” that’s more work than rest when kids are involved, and before we know it, we’re back to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and another year gone by. In this routine, it’s easy to lose sight of the miraculous ways God is moving in our lives.
The story of the Exodus, while familiar to many, contains profound truths about God’s miraculous moves that we often overlook. As the Israelites left Egypt after 430 years of slavery, God led them on an unexpected path. Instead of taking the shortest route to the Promised Land, He guided them on a “roundabout way” through the wilderness towards the Red Sea.
This seemingly illogical direction reveals God’s tactical nature. He knew that if the Israelites faced immediate battles, they might lose heart and return to Egypt. By positioning them between the sea and the approaching Egyptian army, God created a scenario where His people had no choice but to witness His miraculous intervention.
How often do we find ourselves in similar situations? We see the promise ahead, but God takes us on a detour that makes no sense to us. In these moments, we must remember that God’s tactical moves are always purposeful, even when we can’t understand them.
The Exodus account teaches us three crucial lessons about recognizing God’s miracle moves in our mundane moments:
1. Mundane miracle moves reveal God’s tactical nature.
God’s roundabout path for the Israelites showcased His strategic thinking. He knew they weren’t ready for battle and positioned them where they could only rely on His intervention. When life takes unexpected turns, consider that God might be tactically positioning you for a greater purpose.
2. Mundane miracle moves require us to be still.
As the Israelites faced the sea before them and the Egyptian army behind, God’s instruction was clear: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14). In our fast-paced world, being still is challenging. We want to solve, produce, and fix everything ourselves. But sometimes, God asks us to pause and watch Him work.
3. Mundane miracle moves rarely show until we go.
Despite the impossibility of the situation, God told Moses to raise his staff and divide the sea. It was only as the Israelites stepped forward in faith that the waters parted. Often, we won’t see God’s miraculous provision until we take that first step of obedience.
The night crossing of the Red Sea is a powerful illustration of this principle. In the darkness, with only the pillar of fire for light, the Israelites had to trust God one step at a time. They couldn’t see the entire path at once, but as they moved forward, the way became clear.
When we find ourselves stuck between the impossible and the unbearable, how should we respond? Here are three practical steps:
1. Continually cry out to God.
Like children persistently calling for their parents, we should never cease in bringing our needs before God. He is a good Father who hears our cries.
2. Let your patience produce praise.
Even when patience feels forced, use it as an opportunity to praise God. Lift your hands in surrender and worship, acknowledging that God is working even when you can’t see it.
3. Find a way to stay thankful.
The Israelites’ biggest mistake was forgetting God’s goodness and complaining instead of being grateful. Cultivate thankfulness, even in difficult circumstances. Consider writing your own psalm of thanksgiving, using Psalm 136 as inspiration.
Psalm 136 beautifully illustrates this attitude of persistent gratitude. It recounts God’s mighty deeds, from creation to the Exodus, with the refrain “His love endures forever” repeated after each line. This psalm was meant to be recited daily, not just on special occasions, reminding us to continually acknowledge God’s enduring love and faithfulness.
In our own lives, we may feel stuck in mundane routines or challenging circumstances. The pressure may be great, the needs overwhelming, and the obstacles insurmountable. But we must remember that our current situation is temporary. The distress and struggle will fade, but God’s enduring love remains forever.
Don’t overlook the miraculous ways God is moving in and through your life just because you’re surrounded by monotony. If you can’t see God in front of you, He may be behind you, protecting you from unseen dangers. If He seems absent, He might be going ahead to prepare the way for you.
Instead of getting frustrated with God’s timing or methods, choose to be still and know that He is God. Trust that even in the mundane moments, He is working out His miraculous plans for your life.
As we approach Thanksgiving, let’s challenge ourselves to look beyond our circumstances and recognize the miracle moves of God. Let’s cultivate hearts of gratitude, acknowledging His goodness even when life feels routine or difficult. For in those seemingly mundane moments, God is often doing His most extraordinary work.
Remember, your current struggles are temporary, but God’s love endures forever. Keep moving forward in faith, one step at a time, and watch as He parts the seas before you and leads you into the promises He has prepared.