Priorities and Values, Day 9, Lent 2015

Day 9, Lent 2015

^"And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God..."  Haggai 1.14

The prophet Haggai has just delivered a word from the Lord: while the people have been eagerly at work building their own homes, taking care of their own needs and pursuing their own dream; the have given little thought, time or energy to the house of God.   So God stirred up in the leaders and the people a new passion for working together on the rebuilding of the Temple.

How easy it is for us to tend to our own needs and forget the needs of the community.   What kinds of ministry could we accomplish if we dared to work together?  What impact could we have in the name of Jesus if we lovingly brought our gifts and talents to do the Lord's work.   Our faith is meant to be lived out in community and we need each other.    How might the Holy Spirit be calling you to be at work in the house of the Lord?   Have you become so preoccupied with your own needs that you have forgotten from whom all blessings flow?

The spiritual life is one of balance and a part of that balance is regularly reassessing how we spend our lives in relation to the values that we say we confess.   Take some time right now to reflect on that need for balance and if needed make a decision to have your life reflect your values first and foremost.

A prayer:  "Gracious Lord, stir up in us a desire to be a part of your kingdom and the knowledge that our hearts and lives are always going to be restless until they rest in you.  Amen"