God in the Ordinary

 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.

— John 1:14

The passing of the legendary Malayalam film artist Sreenivasan brings back many memories, not only of cinema but of life itself. He was my father’s favourite actor and one reason stood out clearly. He had the rare ability to deliver powerful messages through simple, ordinary characters. He redefined the usual idea of how a hero should look, sound and behave.

In the film Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala, Sreenivasan plays the role of a man struggling quietly with confusion, relationships and purpose. The film does not offer dramatic solutions or loud proclamations, but it asks honest questions that linger, touching the viewer’s heart long after the screen goes dark.

One line from the film captures a truth that resonates deeply with Scripture and life: “Dhaivam valiya vedhikalil maathram alla; saadharana jeevithathinte nadukkil aanu.” which means God is present not only on grand stages, but in ordinary daily life.

What makes this line so profound is that it emerges from the inner world of the central character. The protagonist is not instructing, correcting or performing; he is speaking to himself, wrestling with life, searching for meaning. In that quiet reflection, the viewer is drawn into a space of contemplation.

This is exactly how Scripture often speaks to us—not through spectacle, but through personal encounters, inner wrestling and honest reflection. God walks with us not only in moments of grandeur or visible success, but in the small, ordinary corners of life where our hearts are tender and attentive.

This truth reshaped my own experience of God. My first personal encounter with God did not happen in a grand retreat, a large gathering or a highly orchestrated event. It happened quietly on the terrace of my friend’s house. There were no lights, no music, no drama. Just the 5 of us sitting together, speaking honestly about life and faith. In that ordinary moment, God felt personal, real and near. It was a moment of awakening—a reminder that the divine often meets us quietly, in spaces that feel unremarkable to the world.

After that, most of my God encounters continued in ordinary, unexpected places. Some of the most meaningful prayers happened beside a thattukada, a street side food shop. Between cups of tea, tiger biscuits, fried rice, casual conversations, laughter and shared worries, faith deepened. God’s presence was revealed not in ceremony or display, but in shared vulnerability and simple acts of devotion. These ordinary experiences became extraordinary, because they were real, intimate and transformative.

It was through small commitments in prayer groups, campus ministry and everyday life that my faith matured. Scripture became alive, not as abstract words, but as a living, breathing reality shaping choices, relationships and priorities. Like the protagonist in the movie, faith grew quietly from within, through reflection, honesty and sincerity rather than through spectacle.

As we celebrate this Christmas, we are reminded that God entered the world not with grandeur, but with humility; not on a stage, but in a manger. Emmanuel, God with us, chose the ordinary. May this truth inspire us to recognise God in our terraces, our street corners, our shared meals and our small acts of love. Let us carry this awareness forward with renewed hope, courage and a deeper commitment to live faithfully, knowing that the ordinary can become sacred when God dwells there.

“Poda! Andavane namma pakkam irukkan”

 “If God is for us, who is against us?” – Romans 8:31

I recently watched a re-released Tamil cult classic and like many such films, it carried lines that linger long after the screen fades to black. In one tense moment, the hero’s trusted man warns him, “Aatchiye avaru pakkam irukku!” — meaning, “Power and authority are on their side.” It is a statement filled with fear, realism and surrender. But the hero responds sharply, “Poda! Andavane namma pakkam irukkan!” — “Go away! God is on our side.”

That one reply carries the weight of faith. It draws a clear line between visible power and ultimate power.

Saint Paul echoes this same conviction when he writes to the Romans, “If God is for us, who is against us?” This is not a denial of opposition or hardship. Paul himself knew persecution, uncertainty and suffering. Yet his question points us beyond appearances. It invites us to see life not only through what is visible, powerful or intimidating, but through the deeper truth of God’s abiding presence.

A few years ago, our family lived through a season where this Scripture became more than words. My niece, who was just two and a half years old at the time, suddenly fell seriously ill. The symptoms were alarming and visible, yet confusing. Doctors found it difficult to arrive at a clear diagnosis. Each passing day increased the stress within the family. Tests were conducted, opinions were sought and yet clarity remained elusive. Fear quietly crept in, disguised as concern and helplessness.

In those moments, everything that represented “power” — medical expertise, systems and procedures — seemed present, yet insufficient. We were standing in that familiar human space where answers are delayed and anxiety grows louder.

Then, through what we can only describe as grace, God intervened. A very senior doctor was consulted, someone whose experience went beyond routine checklists. With careful attention and wisdom, he diagnosed the condition as Kawasaki disease, a rare and acute illness in young children. The diagnosis came just in time. Proper treatment began immediately and slowly, hope replaced fear.

During those difficult days, family and friends stood firmly with us and my friends were ever present in the hospital and home, offering constant support, prayer and help with every practical need.

By God’s grace, my niece responded well. Today, she is nine years old, active, joyful and growing beautifully — a living reminder that God was at work even when we could not see it clearly.

In our families, workplaces and places of study, we encounter similar moments. Situations where authority, systems or circumstances appear overwhelming. At work, decisions may feel stacked against us. In studies, effort may not yield immediate results. In life, uncertainty may linger longer than expected. Like the hero’s companion, we are tempted to say, “Power is on the other side.”

Romans 8:31 gently reshapes our vision. God being for us does not mean a life without struggle. It means a life never abandoned in struggle. It means guidance when clarity is missing, strength when fear rises and timely help when human limits are reached. God’s presence does not always remove the tension, but it redeems it.

The world often measures security by control, influence and visible authority. Faith measures it by trust. When we truly believe that God is on our side, we learn to wait without panic, act without bitterness and hope without despair. We stop surrendering to fear simply because power looks intimidating.

Across cinema screens, hospital corridors and the quiet battles of everyday life, the truth remains steady and unshaken: If God is for us, who is against us? This is not just a line to remember, but a way to live. “Poda! Andavane namma pakkam irukkan” becomes more than a dialogue; it becomes a declaration of faith.

As we carry this conviction into our own lives, we are invited to pause and ask ourselves where we have allowed visible power, intimidating systems or uncertain circumstances to shape our fear. Can we trust that God is already at work behind the scenes, even when answers delay and outcomes remain unclear? When we dare to believe this, our confidence shifts—not because the situation changes instantly, but because our hearts learn to rest in the God who is always on our side.