Casual-ty in My Faith

   Casual -- Occurring by chance; Irregular, occasional, unpremeditated, offhand; Not thorough, superficial, nonchalant.
   I don't want my faith in God to be a casual thing.  Faith is about what we believe and how we respond.  I want my faith in and interaction with God to be deliberate, an intimate friendship and a relationship that grows.
   The relationship begins with someone introducing us to God, most likely our parents.  There are others who help us develop our relationship with God, but ultimately it comes down to our openness to Him.  As we draw closer to God, inviting him deeper into our lives, we see His hand in the things around us.  Sometimes it is in the everyday things, but other times it is in wondrous things that give us the "WOW!" eye-openers about God.
   In a "casual" approach to my faith, I don't allow the relationship to develop well.  I can become lukewarm, wishy-washy, and indifferent.  I might even start to say, "I don't need to spend as much or any time with God.  There's always later or tomorrow."  That can progress into a casualty.
   Casualty -- A disastrous accident; One injured or killed in an accident; One injured, killed or captured, or missing in a military action.
   So much of our world is geared toward the "casual," -- lifestyle, clothes, attitudes or other areas you may know of.  It becomes so easy to let that casualness overflow into our spiritual life.  I don't want to become a spiritual war casualty because of my casualness, and then lose out on my eternal life with God.
   We must be determined in pursuing a stronger faith, more other-centered love and joy-filled hope.  There are many ways to accomplish these things, including prayer, attending Mass (with full, active, conscious  participation), study and service, etc.  Anytime we take steps toward God, then God has a chance to show us how close we really are.  We have to be willing to see, hear and feel His presence.  In these times when we realize a stronger bond with God; we are in a holy communion.  I know that when I am open to God's presence, I feel much more alive.
   Even though I realize the value of God's presence, and have so many benefits, I still am too casual at times in that relationship.  "Casual" has its place, but not where my relationship with God is at stake.  Prayer, Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist are some ways we reconnect with God, bridging the gap, or opening the door to let Jesus in.
   The guidance God provides helps me to present His message of faith, love, hope and service to others, because I don't want to settle for the "casual."  Someone once told me "Christ is counting on you," to which I responded, "and I am counting on Christ."  It is through each of us that God is networking to invite all nations to share in eternal life.
   Avoid being a casual-ty in faith -- Reconnect!