There are times when I read Scripture and I feel uplifted and encouraged, and then there are times when the Holy Spirit gives me a healthy push in a different direction.
Such was my reality while reading the Old Testament prophet Haggai. It’s a short book but the main point is that the Israelites were supposed to be rebuilding the House of the Lord, but they got distracted by their own agendas and then they wondered why the Lord wasn’t blessing their efforts. Sound familiar?
Haggai 1:7 tells us that, “The Lord of Hosts says this: ‘Think carefully about your ways.’” (which is the Hebrew equivalent of “you better check your heart.”)
Then He says, “‘my house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house.’” (Ouch!)
It’s not that God is against us building our lives. He’s not. It’s just that He’s more about us having obedient hearts. And if He has called us to build His house over ours, then He wants that to be our first focus.
What is it that God has called you to do? Start a small group, go on a mission trip, participate in a time of fasting? Then get busy and do that first.
After you’ve checked your heart and built His house, absolutely ask Him to bless your other efforts. I think what we will find is that He wants to bless us. We just need to get busy building His house first.