Easy Omens

At one point in my D&D game tonight, we players weren't quite sure whether an encounter was meant to be a plot hook that our characters should follow or whether it was just a random encounter that our characters were supposed to overcome quickly on their way to accomplishing a greater goal. To give the DM a way to answer this question in-game, I had my character suggest that they ask the goddess whom they worshiped for some divine guidance, which she readily gave, granting obvious omens to two of the main characters very shortly after they asked.

Divine guidance is wonderful, and often essential, but it's not usually that quick, that easy to obtain, or that clear. Usually, revelation comes gradually as we continually seek it out and study the matter upon which we are asking for guidance. Of course, revelation can come quickly and clearly, but usually only in times of great and urgent need.

There was no urgent need for our characters to know the DM's intent for that encounter, and the request for guidance only took a few minutes for the characters and a few seconds for the players, so, in my opinion, our characters got off easy.

Of course, I can see why the DM took the opportunity to steer our characters toward the next story moment instead of leaving it up to the characters to decide if and when they plan to follow the plot, but in real life, it's hard enough to get answers on what the plot even is. God lets us struggle to get revelation and occasionally just stumble along without it because He knows that such struggles strengthen our characters and help us grow toward the point at which we have become so wise that we no longer need God's guidance because our own moral compasses tell us the same things God would.

Naturally, that time is pretty far off, and in the meantime, we frequently need God's guidance; however, despite our need, we shouldn't expect God to give us divine guidance quickly, clearly, or easily. We have to work for it and wait for it at least a lot longer than my D&D character did.