I love neologisms. A neologism is a newly coined term, word, or phrase slowly making its way into mainstream language. My favorite neologism of late is obliviot, someone who is oblivious to his surroundings and makes an idiot of himself. Unfortunately, if I am not careful, I become a spiritual obliviot and miss God when He comes to me in the almost unnoticeable details of life.

Consider Moses as he was going about the daily routine of herding his father-in-law’s sheep just as he had done for 40 years. Not much changed in the daily scenery or schedule for a 15^th Century BC sheepherder. Then, suddenly, one day, something peculiar caught his eye. He almost missed it, but he didn’t.

Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”
– Exodus 3:1-3

What if Moses had not noticed this phenomenon? What if his profit margin had been foremost in his heart? What if, in boredom or frustration, he had been daydreaming of a better job? What if Moses had missed God?

What about us? How many times do we miss God each day because we are not looking for Him? What if that schedule “interruption” is actually divine initiative as God positions us so He can use us in someone’s life? What if we slowed down to notice the grandeur of God’s creation all around us and recognized Him in our day? What if God is trying to come to us in a gentle breeze, a child’s laughter, or a “chance” encounter (if there were such a thing)?

Let me encourage you to look around you today and look for God to show up. We understand from His Word that His presence is inescapable (Psalm 139:7-12), but today, tune into that presence and look for God to reveal Himself to you in some ways. There is an old saying, “The devil is in the details.” Although I loathe bogging down in details, I do not believe that saying is true. On the other hand, often God is in the details of our lives, lurking quietly hoping someone will notice Him and enjoy the blessings of His revelation for that day and time. Open your eyes; you don’t want to miss anything.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:15-16