“Business as Usual” Isn’t Going to Cut it Anymore! by Shane Idleman
A friend of mine recently attended a large gathering of Christian leaders. When I mentioned how powerful it would be if they added times of prayer, fasting, and worship to the schedule, he responded, “That would be a game-changer. But many still have the ‘business-as-usual’ mentality.” This is not only true at Christian events, but also in our homes as well.
One Thing is Needed
What’s it going to take to draw us back to the heart of God? One word—desperation.
How many more school districts will be allowed to pervert sex education before we get involved?
Now is your chance to support Gospel News Network.
We love helping others and believe that’s one of the reasons we are chosen as Ambassadors of the Kingdom, to serve God’s children. We look to the Greatest Commandment as our Powering force.
How many more universities need to lead our children astray with false ideology before we take a stand?
How many more legislators need to pass wicked laws before we finally wake up?
Even though the world is falling apart and our nation sinks into a moral abyss, there is very little desperation for the things of God. “Business as usual” is not going to cut it! Without another spiritual awakening, there is no hope.
Instead of Rubbing Elbows, Bend Your Knees
Many focus on posturing, name-dropping, and rubbing elbows with superstars. Facebook timelines are full of selfies while prayer closets remain empty—instead of rubbing elbows, we need to be bending our knees.
Many gauge success by Twitter retweets and Facebook likes rather than the fullness of the Spirit. They are active on social platforms, but heaven barely knows their name. They focus on atmosphere and ambiance but miss the atmosphere of heaven.
Oh, how it must break the heart of God: He invites us to dine with Him through prayer and fasting, but instead, we feast with King Stomach! There is no lack of food in our meetings, but there is a famine of nearness to the Father. We are full, but it’s not with the fullness of the Spirit.
We talk about the desperate need for another spiritual awakening, but are we truly willing to do what it takes to usher it in? As you can see, “business as usual” is not going to cut it.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for Christian events but we must focus on humility, prayer, repentance, and worship rather than on attendance numbers. God cares about nearness more than numbers. As Psalm 51:17 mentions, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” He is near to the brokenhearted, not the busy.
Too Bored to Pray, Too Full to Fast
In old biographies, I often read how leaders spent much time in prayer and fasting, even at their conventions and gatherings. For example, at one convention John Hyde wouldn’t leave the prayer room until a mighty downpour of God’s Spirit came. That’s desperation!
