Through the lens of Man

Jacob’s most arresting line in Genesis 28 is the one he says when he wakes up. “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it” (Gen 28:16).

He had been sleeping on holy ground. The Father had been near. The angels had been moving. And he was unaware.

This is the most common spiritual condition of men I know. The Father is present in the kitchen at 6 a.m. The Father is present in the daily commute. The Father is present in the stuck conversation with your wife. The Father is present in the boss who is hard to work for. And we do not know it. We treat the day like background until something blows up — and then we look for God in the explosion.

Genesis 28 says He is in the ground — not just the explosion. The ordinary place is holy. You are sleeping on a stairway every day and not noticing.

One small thing today: pause once during your day at a place that feels mundane. Stand still for ten seconds. Say to yourself out loud — Surely the LORD is in this place. See if your eyes adjust.