What do we mean by "Noticing God?"

A few months ago, I had one of those moments. I was rushing through my day, my mind tangled in to-do lists and obligations, when I looked up and saw a brilliant sunset splashed across the sky. It stopped me in my tracks. 

For a moment, all the noise in my head faded, and I felt a quiet presence, something bigger than myself. It was as if God had painted the sky just to remind me He was there.

Maybe you’ve had moments like that too. 

A time when something ordinary—a song, a kind word, a breeze through the trees—suddenly felt infused with meaning. A time when you weren’t looking for God, but He showed up anyway. The truth is, God is always present, always moving, always speaking. The real challenge is noticing Him.

Why Don’t We Notice God?

Life is loud. Our schedules are packed, our phones never stop buzzing, and our minds race from one worry to the next. In a world filled with distractions, it's no wonder we often miss the quiet whispers of God.

In 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah experiences something profound. He’s hiding in a cave, exhausted and overwhelmed, when God tells him to stand outside because He’s about to pass by. 

Then comes a powerful wind—but God isn’t in the wind. 

Then an earthquake—but God isn’t in the earthquake. Then a fire—but God isn’t in the fire.

Finally, there is a gentle whisper. And that’s where God is.

That story hits home, doesn’t it? We expect God to show up in the big, dramatic moments—miracles, grand gestures, flashing neon signs. But more often than not, He’s in the quiet. The problem isn’t that God isn’t speaking; it’s that we don’t always know how to listen.

Seeing God in the Everyday

Noticing God doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about shifting our attention, training our hearts to recognize His presence in our daily lives. Here are a few ways we can start:

• In Creation – Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Nature is one of the easiest places to see God. The intricate leaf, the rhythm of the ocean, the vastness of the stars—creation itself is a love letter from God, inviting us to marvel at His handiwork.

• In People – Jesus told us that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Him (Matthew 25:40). That means we can notice God in acts of kindness, in a friend’s encouragement, in the generosity of a stranger. Every person we meet carries the image of God, and sometimes He speaks through them when we least expect it.

• In the Mundane – Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century monk, famously talked about finding God in washing dishes. That might sound strange, but it’s actually quite freeing. God is just as present in our daily chores as He is in our Sunday worship. Whether we’re making coffee, folding laundry, or commuting to work, every moment is an opportunity to turn our hearts toward Him.

• In Our Own Hearts – Sometimes God’s presence isn’t external—it’s within us. A sudden peace when we should be anxious, a conviction nudging us in the right direction, a deep sense of being loved. The Holy Spirit is always at work in us, speaking in ways that are often subtle but powerful.

Practicing Awareness

• Noticing God is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice. Here are a few simple ways to develop a greater awareness of His presence.

• Start Your Day with a Question – Ask, “God, where are You moving today?” This simple shift in mindset can open your eyes to the ways He is working.

• Take Five Minutes of Stillness – No phone, no music, no distractions. Just breathe and invite God into the moment.

• Keep a ‘God Sightings’ Journal – Write down the small moments where you sense God’s presence. Over time, you’ll begin to notice patterns and themes.

• Say Thank You – Gratitude trains our hearts to see God. When we take time to appreciate the little things, we realize they were never little to begin with.

The Invitation

Noticing God isn’t about adding one more thing to your to-do list. It’s about paying attention to what’s already there. He’s been speaking all along—through beauty, through people, through quiet moments in between the chaos. The question is, are we listening?

So today, pause. Look up from your phone. Take a deep breath. Listen to the whisper. God is near.  You just have to notice.