Why We Expect God to Show Up in Big Ways (and Miss Him in Small Ones)

There’s something in us that loves the dramatic.

We want the burning bush. The open door that changes everything overnight. The unmistakable sign that removes all doubt.

We pray for the moment where God shows up so clearly that we can point to it and say, “That was Him.”

And sometimes… He does.

But most of the time? He doesn’t show up in the way we expect. Not because He is absent. But because we are trained to look for the extraordinary—and miss the faithful ordinary.

Why is God Not Speaking to Me?

Scripture is full of moments where people almost missed God because they were waiting for something bigger.

In 1 Kings 19:11–12, Elijah expected God in the wind, the earthquake, and the fire. But God wasn’t in any of them. He was in the whisper.

That detail has always felt uncomfortable. Not because it’s unclear—but because it requires attention. A whisper forces you to lean in.

And most of us are not leaning in—we are scanning for signs.

The Quiet Consistency of God

When you step back, a pattern starts to emerge in both Scripture and life:

• Daily bread instead of warehouse abundance

• “Give us this day” instead of “give us everything at once”

• A pillar of cloud and fire—not a lightning strike of guidance

• A shepherd who leads… one step at a time

God’s presence is often not spectacular. It is consistent.

And consistency is easy to overlook when you are expecting fireworks.

When I Started Noticing Differently

There was a season in my life when I thought I was simply making a practical decision.

I had been working in a high-demand, high-stress job. At the time, I didn’t fully realize how much it had been shaping me—how much tension I was carrying, how normal exhaustion had become.

Then a job opened up in my hometown. It was slower. Simpler. Less pressure.

And less money. A lot less.

In fact, there was about a $40,000 gap between what I wanted and what they had posted.

When that came to light during the process, I remember saying something I hadn’t planned to say. I told the interviewer not to count me out. That I would negotiate. And that if they chose to hire me, they would not regret it.

But behind that conversation, something deeper was happening in me.

I wasn’t just trying to “make it work.” I was praying—but not in the way I used to pray.

I wasn’t asking God to give me the job. I was asking for guidance.

And I remember praying something very specific. “If this is the right place for me, let them come back with $X (a very specific number).”

Not a range. Not a negotiation. Not a guess. A number.

And when the offer came back…It was exactly that number. Not close. Not adjusted. Not “in the ballpark.”

Exact.

That moment didn’t feel like fireworks. It didn’t feel dramatic. There was no voice from heaven or sudden overwhelming sign.

But it was clear.

And it changed something in me—not just about the job I took, but about how I understand God. Because I realized I had been expecting God to shout…

when He had been teaching me to notice precision in the quiet.

That job didn’t just change my income.

It changed my life rhythm.

It changed my stress.

It changed my capacity to be present.

And more than anything—it changed how I relate to God. Not as someone I only go to in crisis or big decisions…but as someone I can actually walk with in the details.

Does God Even Know Me?

We miss God in the small things because small things don’t feel powerful at first glance. We tend to believe:

• If it’s God, it should feel big

• If it’s God, it should be undeniable

• If it’s God, it should interrupt everything

But what if the interruption isn’t the point? What if the invitation is awareness?

Because awareness changes everything.

God in Repetition, Rhythm, and Routine

There is a reason Scripture talks so much about daily practices:

• Daily bread

• Daily prayer

• Daily mercy

• Daily renewal

Not because God is only present daily—but because we are only present daily.

And presence is where we actually notice Him.

The Invitation

Maybe the question isn’t: “Where is God showing up?”

But instead: “Where have I stopped noticing Him?”

Because He may not be absent in your life. He may just be quieter than your expectations. And still—fully there.

In the breath you didn’t think about. In the thought that shifted your direction. In the peace that didn’t match your circumstances.

And sometimes… in an exact number you didn’t know to ask for.

This is why practicing awareness daily through creativity can change how you experience God in everyday life.

A Practice for This Week

At the end of each day, write down three “small” moments that felt insignificant at first—but carried peace, clarity, or grounding.

Don’t overthink them. Just notice.

That’s where awareness grows.

If you need a guide to help you to find awareness, I have created a 52-week coloring meditation journal to gently guide you closer to God.

Next

Explore the full series: Awareness of God

Return to the guide: Spiritual Meditation Through Creativity