God works in the ordinary, not just in the extraordinary

When talking with a friend about God, she explained she would believe in Him if only she could witness a miracle.

My friend had attended church, read the Bible, and knew God performed over 160 miracles as recorded in the Bible. She cited examples of extraordinary miracles, such as the parting of the Red Sea.

I countered that although many miracles were recorded in the Bible, they were performed over a span of 4,100 years, so there weren’t as many as she thought.

For example, between 1446 and 1375 BC, there was an average of only one miracle every two years. These included the ten plagues, manna from heaven, the Jordan River parting, and the fall of Jericho’s walls.

In the times of Elijah and Elisha, the average dropped to one miracle every 2.5 years. Miracles included fire from heaven, rain after a drought, oil being multiplied, and the dead being raised.

The number of miracles significantly dropped from 605 to 400 BC to an average of one every 20 years. Miracles during those years included Daniel in the lions’ den, the fiery furnace, and Jonah and the fish.

Now, Jesus’ ministry was different. In His short ministry of three years, He performed about 35 miracles — almost one miracle every month. Jesus performed a wide variety of miracles, which can be grouped into five main types: healing, exorcism, nature, provision, and resurrection miracles.

However, I explained to my friend that although the miracles recorded in the Bible were extraordinary, she needed to look at the small, yet profound occurrences in her own life. While these may not fit the definition of a “miracle” in the dramatic, supernatural sense, they still carry a sense of wonder and divine involvement.

For example, I remember witnessing the birth of my granddaughter. I cried while watching the awesomeness of new life.

And I frequently reflect on the fact that my heart beats on its own, my blood pumps on its own, and my muscles move on their own. The fact that I breathe, think, and move is miraculous to me.

Small acts of kindness and compassion can feel like miracles. These are everyday moments where people reflect God’s love in their actions. I remember the day when a stranger went through several hoops to ensure I was aware I’d left my car lights on. They saved me from a dead battery in the dead of winter.

In my life, I’ve learned that if you’re waiting for a supernatural miracle, you may miss out on the spectacular every day. While we may expect dramatic, life-changing answers to prayer, sometimes small prayers are answered in subtle ways that go unnoticed. These everyday answers remind us that God is active in our lives.

Lastly, nature’s beauty serves as a daily reminder to me of God’s creativity and miraculous presence in the world. I feel His spirit as I walk in nature, bike along country roads, and kayak on still waters. I’m often struck by the awesome beauty around me.

God works in the ordinary, not just in the big spectacular. These small miracles help us recognize the presence of God in our daily lives. They show that miracles don’t always have to be dramatic, life-changing events; sometimes they are in the little things — moments of love, peace, and protection that remind us of God’s ongoing work in the world.

God does miraculous things every day. Don’t miss out on God and what He does in your ordinary life.

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