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“Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”-John 1:46-49.
When we look, we can see Jesus even in the ordinary moments of our lives. Plenty of activities dominate our daily routines that, on the surface, seem to have nothing to do with our life with God. The drive to work, mowing the lawn, packing lunches, paying bills, etc. These routine parts of life rarely feel like “spiritual” events. They seem separate from our spiritual life. If we are not careful, those moments can look like a momentary deviation from “business as usual,” with life quickly returning to “normal” once those moments end. God intends for our life of faith to be far more integrated and interwoven than we commonly think.
Even in the most mundane, routine parts of our lives, Jesus seeks to engage with us. As Nathanael discovered in John 1:43-51, our most mundane moments can become the backdrop for divine encounters. Nathanael, skeptical about Jesus of Nazareth, soon found himself face-to-face with the reality of who Jesus indeed was—the Son of God. This revelation came not in a grand temple or a sacred space but beneath the ordinary shade of a fig tree.
Nathanael had initial doubts, given his statement, “Can anything good come from Nazareth” (John 1:46)? Yet, his story is a beautiful reminder that God often works outside our expectations, inviting us to discover Him in the unexpected and everyday places of our lives. Philip’s invitation, “Come and see for yourself,” is extended to us daily, urging us to look beyond our assumptions and be open to encountering Jesus in new and surprising ways.
Each moment, no matter how routine or mundane, can be an opportunity to encounter God. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, Jesus is present. Nathanael’s transformation exemplifies what happens when you seek Jesus with an open heart and mind, ready to see Him in your everyday life.
It is easy to coast through life feeling like we are on our own. We sometimes forget about God when we are really busy and have a lot going on. Look for God in every situation daily. Whether it is big or small, look for Him. If you are walking down the street, look for the beautiful things He has made. When you are with your friends or family, thank Him for putting those people in your life. Notice him in the small moments of life when you would not think much of it.
Discussion Questions:
- How do you go about finding God in the ordinary?
- Why do we tend to miss God in the routine?