Pastor Izzy from Courageous Church recently chatted to Leah and Dan about how God shows up when we least expect it.

Genesis 28 tells the story of Jacob, a man running for his life but walking straight into a divine encounter.

Jacob wasn’t exactly the hero of the story at this point. He had just tricked his father, Isaac, into giving him the family blessing meant for his twin brother, Esau.

Esau, understandably furious, wanted to kill him. So Jacob fled. He was on the run, afraid, alone, and uncertain about what lay ahead.

But he was also moving toward something new. A fresh start. A future he couldn’t yet see.

A Dream in the Desert

As Jacob journeyed through the wilderness, he stopped for the night and slept on a rock. That’s when it happened. He had a vision, he saw a ladder stretching from earth to heaven, with angels going up and down. When he woke up, he realised he wasn’t alone after all.

That moment in the desert was sacred. God had been there. Jacob just hadn’t noticed.

God’s Presence Doesn’t Depend on Our Awareness

That truth struck me deeply. Jacob’s story shows that God is present even when we’re unaware. Our feelings don’t limit his presence. It’s not dependent on how spiritual we feel in the moment. God is constant, even in our confusion, even in our desert seasons.

Looking Back to See God’s Hand

I’ve been doing some reflecting lately. Looking back on my own story, I’ve realised how many moments I once thought were coincidences were actually God’s work. Things that felt random, an encouraging word, a life-changing opportunity, or even a song at just the right time, now seem purposeful.

Those weren’t coincidences. They were evidence of God pursuing me.

What If It Wasn’t Just Luck?

We often label these moments as luck, timing, or chance. But what if it wasn’t just that? What if those serendipitous encounters and emotional turning points were God revealing Himself? What if those ordinary moments were divine appointments?

An Invitation to Reflect

Today, I would like to offer a simple invitation: take a moment to reflect. Think about the moments in your life that seemed small or random but ended up shaping who you are. Consider that maybe, just maybe, God was there all along.

Even if you don’t believe in God, I’d encourage you to keep an open heart. Think back. Could it be that those “coincidences” were actually the gentle hand of a God who loves you and is always near?

Because sometimes, like Jacob, we wake up and realise: Surely the Lord is in this place… and I was not aware of it.

Listen to Pastor Izzy’s message below.