By Nina Warriner of Bath, New York, USA

The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it….

I was driving home on a gray, cloudy afternoon. As I crested the last hill, I saw it—a brilliant, bright blue patch of sky breaking through the gray. I pulled the car over to absorb the gloriousness of the sight. It was so vivid, so striking, that it felt as if I were seeing that color for the first time. I sat pondering the scene for a while and realized this stunning blue had always been there. The numerous dreary days had somehow caused me to forget.

It made me wonder—how often do I do the same with God? There are times in life when God’s presence feels so near, so undeniable—like standing under a clear, radiant sky. But then, difficulties come. Prayers seem unanswered. Life feels uncertain. And before I even realize it, I start looking elsewhere for reassurance, for something tangible to hold onto. Not always in obvious ways, but in small ways—seeking reassurance in things that are immediate instead of putting my trust in the One who is and has always been there. I don’t mean to turn away, but sometimes I do.

I imagine it was similar for the Israelites in the wilderness. They had seen God’s power, experienced the Comforter’s presence, and received Divine guidance. Yet, when Moses was gone longer than they expected, when the silence stretched on, they panicked. In their fear, they crafted something they could see, something that felt more certain in the moment. They had forgotten the brilliance and magnitude of their experiences.

My experience of the brilliant blue under the gray clouds is a reminder for me. Just because I can’t always sense God clearly doesn’t mean God isn’t there. Holy Presence, like that bright blue sky, is constant. Even when life feels cloudy and gray, even when I forget to look, God is still there, waiting to be seen.

Prayer Phrase

“Let us work for the good of all” (Galatians 6:10).

Spiritual Hunger

Jesus discerned hungers of body and spirit, and he fed them through a physical, verbal, spiritual ministry of presence. In a time of listening prayer, ask God to help you discern physical or spiritual hungers of people in your congregation, community, and global family. Invite the Spirit to move you to one hospitable act that “feeds” someone’s hunger today.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.