"He sighed deeply and said, 'Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it,'" (Mark 8:12).

When I was in graduate school, I took a course in organization theory. In the early weeks of the semester, I realized that I did not have so much as a clue as to what that course was about. The readings made no sense, and the lectures were even more confusing.

I finally worked up the courage to go see my professor.

"Don't worry," he said, "you're right where we want you."

I am going through a similar experience now in my Christian walk. In my effort to deepen my faith, I have become confused by some things that the Lord has allowed to happen in my life. Somehow I think the Lord, much like that professor, has me right where he wants me, too.

Many Christians would like for the Lord to be more demonstrable with his presence. However, if you are waiting for the Lord to come down and tell you what to do as he told Moses and the Israelites, it's probably not going to happen.

Philip Yancey points out in his book "Disappointment with God" that crystal clarity from God does not aid faith growth.

"In fact," he writes, "for the Israelites it nearly eliminated the need for faith at all; clear guidance sucked away freedom, making every choice a matter of obedience rather than faith."

The Old Testament is full of stories that support Yancey. Exodus 32 records that when Moses descended from Mount Sinai with two tablets containing the Ten Commandments, the very people to whom God had revealed himself were dancing like heathens around a golden calf.

God didn't play hide-and-seek with the Israelites. He parted the Red Sea, gave them water from a rock and fed them each day with manna.

In spite of these, the Israelites did not praise the Lord and invite his presence. Instead, they openly rebelled. As Yancey puts it, "God's visible presence did nothing to improve lasting faith."

As much as I want God to be more audible, I also know that my faith will go nowhere if I allow him to make the choices for me. You see, God wants us to focus on him and not on his signs and wonders. He wants us to trust him, even when we can't reach out and touch him. "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge," (Psalms 62:8).