Listening to God

I was just catching up on some reading, when I found this short piece, in "The Week" magazine, June 6, 2008:

"Good week for devine intervention, after two New Zealand pilots ran out of fuel in midflight and prayed for God's help. The microlight plane came to a safe landing next to a 20-foot sign that said, 'Jesus is Lord.'"

This made me think of all the times that I have prayed to God for an answer to a specific problem or for guidance in making choices. I have asked so many times for a clear answer, like the example above, but usually all I get is that "still small voice" barely noticeable, barely audible. I often think that life would be so much easier if God would use billboards and thunder to get our attention.

But, then, would we really get it? When God speaks to us softly, hinting at his presence, it makes us have to search for him. We have to exercise our spiritual muscles to grow closer to God. If God were more "out there," we might get lazy. Would we really try to get to know and understand Him? Would we spend the time we need, learning to listen, if He didn't continually respond in a whisper? I am glad that He stays just below the surface, where I know that He is there, but I have to quiet the racing thoughts in my mind in order to hear His voice and feel His presence.