What if God is already at work in your life? A 5-day devotional

Want it as a printable with journaling space? Download the 5-day devotional (PDF).

Hey, I'm Dillon — and I'm glad you're here.

Life moves fast. Work, relationships, responsibilities, uncertainty — it's easy to feel spiritually stuck or disconnected. This devotional isn't a lecture. It's not about fixing yourself or figuring everything out. It's an invitation.

I believe God is already working in your life — even if you don't see it yet. And over the next five days, I just want to walk with you as you begin to notice. Each day has one short Scripture and a thought, a question to sit with, and a simple prayer. You don't have to get it all right. You just have to be willing to walk.

Let's go.

Day 1: God is already working

"My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."John 5:17

We tend to think of God as someone who might show up — if we pray the right way, if we get it together, if we go to church more. But what if He's already here? What if He's already been at work — not just in eternity or in Bible stories, but in your story, right now?

I used to be obsessed with trying to figure out God's will for my life — especially in dating. I prayed like crazy, asking God to just show me the plan. But deep down, I was more focused on my own goals than I was on knowing God.

What I've learned — and still have to remind myself of — is this: God reveals His will to people who walk with Him. Not the ones who try to control everything. Not the ones who just want answers. The ones who seek relationship.

Jesus said the Father is still working. That's not a metaphor; it's a reality. God isn't waiting for you to chase Him down. He's already close. You just have to start noticing.

Reflect: Where in your life might God be moving — but you haven't noticed yet?

Pray: "God, what are You already doing in my life that I haven't seen yet?" Let your thoughts flow. No filter. Just be honest.

Day 2: The invitation is personal

"Follow me."Matthew 4:19

Jesus didn't open with a lecture. He didn't say, "Here's a list of rules — obey, and then we'll talk." He said, "Follow me." That's it. Not a performance. Not a religion. Just a person, inviting you to walk with Him.

A lot of us think we need to get right before God will take us seriously, or stop messing up before we can get close. But Jesus never started with qualifications. He started with relationship. He called people who had no clue what they were doing. People with issues. People who would mess up again. And He still does.

If you've ever wondered whether Jesus would want you — the answer is already yes. He's not asking you to fix your life. He's asking you to follow Him.

Reflect: What do you think Jesus meant when He said "follow Me"? Is it something you're actually doing — or just something you agree with?

Pray: "Jesus, if You're inviting me to follow You, what do I need to stop holding back?" Let it be raw and real. It's just between you and Him.

Day 3: Holy ground looks ordinary

"Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground."Exodus 3:5

Most of us expect God to show up in a big moment — a dramatic answer, a spiritual high, a thunderbolt of clarity. But God often speaks in the middle of the most ordinary things. Moses was just doing his job, walking sheep around the desert, when God spoke through a bush. No church service. No hype. Just presence.

When I went to Ghana on a missions trip, I met an eight-year-old boy who walked miles every day to carry water back to his family. That water was used for everything — cooking, laundry, drinking. He had one pair of flip-flops. And he was full of joy. That trip changed me. The people there didn't have much — but they had peace. They had gratitude. And looking back, I realize God was there. That place was holy.

Don't miss God because you're waiting for the moment to feel big. Sometimes holy ground looks like a workplace. A kitchen table. A morning commute. Or a quiet moment you actually slow down long enough to take.

Reflect: Where might God already be present in your daily routine — but you've just never paused long enough to notice?

Pray: "God, open my eyes to the sacred things happening in ordinary spaces." Write whatever comes to mind. One sentence is enough.

Day 4: God leads through small steps

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much."Luke 16:10

We love clarity. We want God to give us the plan, the map, the big moment of direction. But most of the time, He doesn't. Most of the time He just gives the next step.

When I was dating my now-wife, things were hard. It was tense with her family. There were days I'd feel physically sick just thinking about it. I didn't know if we were going to make it. But I kept showing up. Kept praying. Kept taking the next faithful step. Over time — not overnight — things changed. God didn't give me the full picture. He just gave me the grace to take one step at a time. Now we're married, we've got a beautiful life, and my relationship with her family is fully restored. But it took endurance. Patience. Resilience. And time.

If you're waiting on God to drop a big answer in your lap, He might already be whispering the next step. Just take it.

Reflect: What's one small, faithful step God might be inviting you to take right now — even if you don't know where it leads?

Pray: "God, I don't need the whole plan. Just give me the courage to take the next step."

Day 5: You're loved before you do anything

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."Romans 5:8

Let's end here: you are already loved. Not future you. Not cleaned-up you. Not the version of you that stops messing up. You — today. Right now.

We talk a lot about God's plan and following Jesus, but none of that matters if we miss this: God's love isn't something you earn. It's something you receive. If you've been trying to prove yourself, if you feel like your doubts, your habits, or your past disqualify you — let this land today. Jesus didn't wait for you to get it together. He stepped toward you when you were at your worst. And He's still stepping toward you now.

These five days haven't been about finding all the answers. It's been about opening your eyes to what's already true: God is already near. Already working. Already loving. You just have to say yes.

Reflect: What might change in your life if you fully believed God already loves you — and you don't have to earn it?

Pray: "Jesus, I don't want to live like I have to earn Your love. Help me receive it."

So, what now?

If you made it through these five days, that's not nothing. It means something stirred in you. And maybe it means you're ready for a next step, even if you're not sure what that looks like yet.

Here's the good news: God is still working. And you don't have to walk alone. I'd love to stay connected and keep encouraging you — no pressure, just honest help as you keep walking with Jesus. If this devotional helped you see God a little more clearly, I'd love to hear your story: dillon@bigrapids.church. And if you're anywhere near Big Rapids, come be part of TheWay from the beginning.

On the way with you,
Dillon