Chip and Haggai?

“These people say: The time has not come for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt”.
Haggai 1:2 (ESV)

How many times has God stood patiently on the sidelines of our lives, waiting for us read His Word, pray, and then do what He told us to do? That’s okay, you don’t have to answer. I’m not going to answer either. 

During particular seasons of my life, I have made many verbal promises to the Lord- essentially a bargaining tactic.  At times, I would dare to present God with an “If…then” proposal, actually thinking I knew what was best.

Becoming transparent with God about who I am, below the social layers I have wallpapered on the outside of my life, allows repentance.

Repentance is the first step of spiritual discipline.

I personally understand that obedience is difficult, especially when it constitutes change within your life and lifestyle. We have very good intentions, don’t we? (Sigh.)

Spiritual growth is the result of attempts, not intent.

Good intentions will tell you to try and do better tomorrow. Good intentions will tell you to set the alarm in hopes of getting up 15 minutes early to read the Bible. Good intentions will tell you to try and yell at your kids, only 5 times today.

“Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.”
Haggai 1:5 (ESV)

God is a good God, a forgiving God, a persistent God. He keeps after us reminding us to “consider our ways,” to focus on our actions. Yet, often our response is much like the Israelites in the book of Haggai, “the time has not come…”  

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”
James 1:22 (NLT)

His Word specifically says “do”!   At times, I would like to read it as saying, “You must do what it says …when you feel better.”  When my finances are in order, my prayer life is stronger, and my Bible reading is complete every day for a week, then I will do what God’s Word says.  

The unfolding truth is that HE doesn’t need us; He is God. He is sovereign.  His plan will prevail with or without us.

          But God. HE chooses us just the way we are.

God’s greatest commandment is for us to love Him with all of us, not just some of us. He longs to truly transform our lives by restoring our heart, mind and soul.  “He has the perfect plan to restore our soul.” Psalm 23:3 (ESV)

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Matthew 22: 37-38 (ESV)

When John and I were first married, we decided to remodel our house, making it our “happily ever after” home.  On DEMO DAY, we knocked down several interior walls, repositioned windows, made doors in exterior walls, and started from the floor up.  Our final result was a home that did not resemble the house we started with. Success!

Please keep in mind our long remodeling project was not completed in one week or even in one month. Our rebuild required several months of daily time, effort, and hard work, resembling the rebuilding of the temple in the book of Haggai. Requirements included daily decision-making, daily questioning, and researching the best constructive approach. Our design and finances were challenged and adjusted daily.  It was hard work – every single day.

It’s important to remember that even though the process was difficult, we continued to proceed. We trusted in the process of the reconstruction plans.  We had a vision of the end result, and we refused to remain in a constant state of remodel. It would be worth it.

DEMO DAY must begin the process of rebuilding the areas of your heart, soul, and mind that God is calling to be reconstructed.

For many years, I chose to spiritually remain in DEMO DAY.  Turn to Psalm 139 and read the cries from David’s heart. I can identify with all 24 verses. Prayerfully spend time with this chapter and have a long discussion with the Lord about the current rubble within your heart.

“He must increase, but I must decrease” John 3:30 (ESV)

Now, go grab that spiritual sledge hammer and get busy. I look forward to seeing the grand reveal. Remember, we are all “fixer uppers”.

Time to Unfold

• Read God’s Word: Read Psalm 139  
• Pray: Ask God to reveal to you what areas of your heart, soul, and mind that need to experience a DEMO DAY.
• Do: Complete a list of areas in your life where you can become less and God can become more. (John 3:30)
• Repeat: We must always strive to keep remodeling our heart, soul, and mind to imitate Christ.

Always in a constant state of remodel,