In conversation, I have realized that perhaps my thoughts on God are a little unorthodox. I just assumed that all "believers" felt the way that I do. Perhaps this is not the case.

I have great expectation in God. I believe that He speaks today, and will speak frequently to me personally through pictures, whispers, deep impressions, inviting memories and recollections (yes, I've sung that), Scriptures, contemplations, heavenly visions, dreams, trances, prophetic words and more ways than I can ask, think or imagine. I am convinced that He cares about my relationships, my financial struggles, my friendships, the romance or lack thereof in my life, the uncertainty of my future, and everything else about me. I am convinced He is intimately acquainted with all my ways, and not just so He "knows," but so that we can walk together.

When I come to a crossroads in life, I wait with full expectation that God cares about my particular situation and has specific direction. I recognize that by the very nature of having God-given favor upon my life, things I put my hand to will many times succeed - but I must know that this success is not necessarily an indication that I am in the "will of the Lord."

I don't wonder a lot. I trust that the Lord will clearly speak to me through the aforementioned ways. I make a little time and space to listen, and sometimes He breaks in even when I'm not listening, because He's faithful and He leads me. I guess if He didn't give me clear direction, I'd keep doing my spiritual disciplines and trust Him to work it out. I think about Jesus doing only what He saw the Father doing - and I don't want to live any differently.

That all seemed pretty standard to me before this conversation. Tonight I realized that many people don't live like that. My friend described his experience in God as simply "plugging along and waiting for God to broadside him if He wants to tell Him anything." He has no expectation to hear from God in the day to day, and that makes me sad.