In nature, things are not always what they appear to be. The mineral pyrite (also called fool’s gold) has a pale yellow color and shine that give it the appearance of real gold. The graphite in a pencil is hardly as valuable as a diamond, but graphite and diamonds are just different forms of the same element: carbon. Appearances can be deceiving, and it can be difficult to see the deeper substance without closer examination. For Christian believers, it is necessary to examine our surroundings carefully in order to perceive how God might be showing up in them. Power, faith, transformation, and salvation often appear in ways we do not expect. God’s work is radical, unusual, and often surprising, working behind the scenes and beneath the surface.