What steps can we take to be more aware of God's presence daily? Setting the Scene “Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in His hand. And Balaam bowed low and fell facedown.” (Numbers 22:31) Balaam did not need God to arrive; he needed eyes to see the God who was already there. We face the same need every day. Step 1 – Invite the Lord to Open Your Eyes • Pray the Scripture: “Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” (Psalm 119:18) • Begin each morning by consciously acknowledging, “Lord, You are here—help me notice.” Step 2 – Stay in the Word • Meditate: “This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night.” (Joshua 1:8) • Keep a verse card or Bible app handy; let truth re-calibrate your thoughts throughout the day. Step 3 – Give Thanks Continually • “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) • Gratitude tunes the heart to God’s nearness; list blessings as they happen. Step 4 – Obey Promptly • Jesus said, “The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” (John 14:21) • Awareness grows when we respond to His nudges without delay. Step 5 – Slow Down to Listen • Elijah heard the “gentle whisper.” (1 Kings 19:12) • Build mini-pauses into the schedule—five quiet minutes in the car, a silent walk, screen-free meals. Step 6 – Share Life with Fellow Believers • “Where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) • Join a small group or prayer partner; their insights often reveal what we might miss. Step 7 – Use Tangible Reminders • God told Israel to bind His words on their hands and doorposts. (Deuteronomy 6:8-9) • Place a Scripture on the fridge, set a phone alarm named “Look for God’s hand,” wear a cross necklace intentionally. Step 8 – Keep Short Accounts • “Search me, O God…see if there is any offensive way in me.” (Psalm 139:23-24) • Confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9); unconfessed sin clouds spiritual vision. Step 9 – Guard against Distraction • Jesus to Martha: “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one is necessary.” (Luke 10:41-42) • Limit media overload; choose moments for undivided attention to Him. Step 10 – Expect Guidance in the Ordinary • “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6) • Look for divine appointments at work, school, home—no setting is too common for His presence. Living with Eyes Wide Open God is not distant; He is the God who stands in the road before us. As we practice these simple, scriptural habits, He will keep opening our eyes—again and again—to the wonder of His daily presence. |
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