Within the last eight days, I have set foot in Costa Rica, Florida, and now Colorado. In each of these places, I’ve been struck by the beauty and sheer diversity of God’s creation. Costa Rica teems with life—monkeys, sloths, birds of every color, plants growing in wild abundance. Florida bursts with coastal vibrancy—the hum of insects, the chorus of birds, and the breezes through palm fronds. And Colorado? Majestic mountains, pine forests, alpine meadows, and deer at the edge of dawn.
On the surface, Costa Rica’s terrain might resemble Colorado’s ruggedness, and its humidity might echo Florida’s tropical air. But when you pause to really look around, to really see what surrounds you, you begin to notice the intricate distinctions—the infinite variations that point to a Creator with boundless imagination.
God’s artistry is everywhere, if only we take time to notice.
But Creation Isn’t the Only Place We See Signs of God
We can see glimpses of Him in people, too.
Now, let’s be honest—it doesn’t always feel that way. Turn on the news and you’ll see stories of people hurting one another, giving in to greed, anger, and pride. This isn’t limited to any one country, political party, or religion. Every group has its share of people acting from their worst impulses, people caving into their worldly desires, people listening to the voice of the evil one above all others.
But look a little closer.
Every group, every nation, every religion, every walk of life also contains people who are trying to do good. People who are kind. People who lift others up, often quietly and without recognition. People who go out of their way to help a stranger. Who offer a word of encouragement or share a burden they didn’t cause. Sometimes they do this intentionally. Other times, they may not even realize how God is using them in that moment.
God often uses people to answer our prayers.
One of my favorite biblical examples of this is in 2 Kings 4. A widow comes to Elisha in desperation—her husband is dead, her debts are overwhelming, and creditors are coming to take her sons as slaves. Elisha tells her to gather jars and pour what little olive oil she has. Miraculously, the oil doesn’t stop flowing until every jar is filled. She sells the oil, pays her debts, and saves her sons. A divine provision, delivered through the actions of another person.
The Bible never reports whether Elisha ever learned how he (or God working through him) helped the widow. There’s also no record that the widow ever had the opportunity to thank Elisha for how he had helped her. I wonder if she at least thanked God.
No judgment here, though—I probably can’t even count the times God has provided for me or rescued me in some way, but I failed to thank Him for doing so.
These stories still happen. Maybe not with jars of olive oil, but with conversations, meals, shared time, unexpected answers, or resources that come just when we need them most.
How many signs of God are woven into our days—some breathtaking, some subtle?
Recall that in 1 Kings 19:11–12, God showed Himself to the prophet Elijah not in the powerful wind, earthquake, or fire. Instead, God caught Elijah’s attention in a gentle whisper.
How many signs of God do we miss because we’re distracted? Because we’re disengaged? Because we’re too busy scrolling, worrying, hurrying?
Looking at it from another perspective, how many times do we miss opportunities to be a sign of God in someone else’s life for the same reasons?
So, I think those are the invitations for us: to look more closely. To open our eyes, our hearts, and our schedules to notice the signs of God all around us.
In the sway of the trees. In the laugh of a child. In the kind word of a stranger. In the unexplainable peace that meets us in the middle of the storm.
Similarly, we need to open our eyes, our hearts, and our schedules enough to recognize times when God may be guiding us to provide a sign of Him to someone else.
When will you encounter someone who needs some extra money to help them get out from under the debt that’s crushing the life out of them? When will you meet someone who would benefit from your story about how God helped you weather the storms of your life? When will you see someone who feels invisible? Which person is the passing stranger who desperately needs a kind word, or just a smile?
God is always leaving signs. He is always giving us chances to be His sign to others.
Master's Canvas - Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter 