Have you ever found yourself in a crowd or at a social gathering when a friend gently elbows you and says, “Hey, look over there…”?
That simple gesture—a nudge—is a way we draw someone’s attention to something we think matters, or something we believe they’d appreciate.
For me, I’ve come to see God as the ultimate Nudger.
I recently returned from my annual women’s retreat, and during one of our reflection exercises, we were asked to complete the statement:
God is ___________________
I’ve spent plenty of time journaling and blogging about all the words I could use to fill in that blank, and I thought I knew what would come to mind. But when I put pen to paper, the word that surfaced was “nudging.”
I was surprised—not only because I chose a verb instead of an adjective, but also because I hadn’t expected that particular word.
You’d think I wouldn’t be caught off guard, especially in a setting designed to minimize distractions and focus on God’s presence. It’s in these moments of stillness that I truly sense His nudges.
Often, as I’m working through a particular word in my blog, I notice God sending me messages and signs related to that word—these are His nudges.
In fact, I’d say God uses my blog to nudge me. The Big Nudge was starting the blog, and the Second Big Nudge was when I revived it. Even the individual posts are usually inspired by God’s gentle prompting.
When a topic flows easily from my mind to the page, I recognize it as a nudge from God. Once I accept that nudge, the words pour out, and my hands feel guided by Him.
On the other hand, when writing feels difficult, it might be because the word is challenging, but it’s likely difficult because I’ve chosen it based on external expectations rather than God’s leading. Since my blog is faith-based, there are words I “should” write about—or so the world says. Those posts are the hardest. But when I follow God’s nudges, the words take me places I wouldn’t have gone otherwise, sometimes into the deeper teachings of Jesus.
And when I do follow His nudges, I’m much more likely to hear from readers who say that the post was exactly what they needed, or that it resonated with them, or inspired them.
That’s the power of responding to God’s nudges!
God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. Romans 15:4 (The Message)
“Nudge” is such an unusual word. To me, it means a gentle push or a soft poke—something subtle, yet intentional. When I think about a nudge from God, it feels less like a physical tap and more like a quiet whisper—a tender prompting that says:
“Notice this.”
“I’m here—look at Me.”
“Do this for Me.”
“Help them.”
When God nudges me, it stirs something deep inside. I feel the Spirit ripple through my soul. And often, these nudges are accompanied by other affirmations—through scripture, music, or the words of others.
For example, one of my favorite songs is “Lord, I Need You” by Matt Maher. Sometimes I’ll listen to it on repeat, singing along with all my heart, and then other times go for weeks without queuing it up on my playlist at all. I was recently in one of those seasons of not listening to my playlist, when it played on the radio, and my spirit responded like greeting an old friend. The next day, it popped up in my YouTube feed. A few days later, my church’s praise band sang it. Then the final straw: the retreat leader played it during our opening session this weekend. It’s as if God is saying, “I’m trying to get your attention!”
What do I take from this? God is nudging me to worship Him, to lean into Him, to truly absorb the message of the song. Whether life is smooth or I’m walking through a valley, He wants me to recognize my need for Him.
This is how God nudges me—it may look different for others, but I believe He speaks to each of us in ways we can understand and respond to.
I see nudging as the step before conviction. Conviction is God’s clear message exposing my sin. If I were to use traffic signs as a metaphor:
Conviction = Wrong Way, Stop, Red Light, Do Not Enter, Danger
Nudge = Green Arrow, This Way, No U-Turn, Yield
God’s nudges catch my attention, redirect my focus, and invite me to take a step of faith. Sometimes I’m drifting off course, and His gentle nudge points me back to a better path.
The key is discernment—asking, “Is this nudge from God or from somewhere else? Does it reflect His character?” Sometimes I need honest prayer to sort it out, or I ask the Spirit—my Advocate—for guidance.
God’s nudges usually feel “right,” even if they’re not always “comfortable.” They’re always rooted in hope or joy, reminding me that He has good plans for me.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
A fellow retreater shared a story about learning to ride a motorcycle. She struggled with tight turns until her instructor told her, “You go where you’re looking.” When she focused on where she wanted to go, her body naturally followed, and the turn became easier.
That story stuck with me as a picture of God’s nudges. Instead of a sharp jab, it’s as if God gently lifts my chin and redirects my gaze—sometimes toward Him, sometimes toward someone He wants me to help, or simply to notice something beautiful in His creation.
During the retreat, one woman noticed an odd pattern: she kept dropping her silverware throughout the weekend. The first time, it seemed like a simple accident; the second time, just a coincidence. But when it happened a third time, she paused to reflect. In a different environment, she might not have given it a second thought. Yet, surrounded by the retreat’s atmosphere of surrender and peace, her mind was open to noticing patterns, and her heart was ready to receive. Was it possible that even something as small as dropped silverware could be a gentle nudge from God? (That’s for her to discern, but I’m inclined to say Yes.)
The disciples came up and asked, “Why do you tell stories?”
He replied, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn’t been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening.
Matthew 13:10-15 (The Message)
In a world full of distractions, God’s nudges are a reminder to pause, reflect, and realign my focus. When I choose to follow these gentle prompts, I welcome the awakening and discover the beauty of walking in step with Him—one nudge at a time.