When it comes to earthly matters, we are pretty good at seeing signs. As Jesus said, when we see clouds in the west, we know rain is coming (Luke 12:54). We recognize that the woollier the caterpillar, the colder the winter. My dad always used to tell me that when you see cows lying down in a field, the fish were not biting.
Seeing signs when it comes to the spiritual realm is a bit trickier. It is not about picking out holy shapes in the clouds or seeing the face of Jesus in a burnt piece of toast. It is about meaningful and prayerful consideration of the signs of God’s activity, presence, and love in our lives.
God is always with us. He is constantly active in our lives. We need to develop the quality of attentiveness to see the signs.
- Ask for God’s help.
- Be fully present in each moment.
- Stay with something (a prayer, a thought, a Bible passage) long enough to see something new.
- Look at something familiar with new eyes.
- Be patient.
- Make it your goal to see God in all things and all things in God.
