Christian Living

Casual With God?

by Robert [Bob] Schaetzle Sr. 
10/17/04
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                                Casual with God?                           

                                                By: Robert Schaetzle Sr. 

Our pastor from a former church shared in a message, “Don’t be casual with God, those who are casual with God tend to be careless with life!” There are many applications to take from this, but our daily moments in prayer to discern spiritual promptings will amplify our purpose of walking moment by moment in the power of His presence. Our walk can get out of step to His purpose by the least of distractions.  There are ‘obstacles’, or casual moments when our Lord might be asking, “Are your ambitions more important than what I want you to be doing?” If we fail to look upward, and view His leading, it can be much like the angel of God who stood in the way of Balaam.

Recalling the incident, Balaam was asked by Balak, king of Moab, to put a curse on the people of Israel. In the course of events Balaam was riding his donkey when the angel of the Lord stopped them in their track. 

‘Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground. Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me”.’  [Numbers22:31,34a NASB]

             How often does God put roadblocks before us in order to get our attention, when we’re too determined, as Balaam was, to continue on? Better to lay things out to the Lord in prayer and wait. Obedience to a listening ear toward the Spirit’s prompting especially in prayer helps us view His hand with a better perspective. James said it so eloquently when he admonished us,‘ But everyone must be quick to hear and slow to speak…’ [James 1:19a]

Look to Nehemiah as example, who went from being a ‘cup bearer’ in a Kings court as it were, to rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem, appointed as the new governor. How did all this come about?

‘Let Your ear now  be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying  before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father’s house have sinned.’ [Nehemiah 1:6 NASB] 

 Day and night it says. He had a determination to listen, to hear God’s prompting. Not a casual thought that it would be nice to see the city walls re-built. Not a casual gesture, but with a surrendered heart determined to seek Him. Don’t allow casualness to be a stumbling block toward embracing intimacy in following His prompting. The blessing He brings our way will only expand our faith walk in Christ, with a deeper passion for Him more, and our self a lot less.