consider your ways
Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.
Haggai 1:4-9
The words of the book of Haggai tug deep into my heart. I hear the message for the people of God in their time, and I know the Spirit of God prompting me today.
I feel unsettled this morning. And I enter into prayer. Then comes the invitation to dine.
"You are OK, Tkay. You are just hungry. Breathe and eat."
Haggai is scheduled for today, the end of my Bible reading plan for the year.
Even though the words of this prophet are a direct challenge, even a reproof. I don't feel guilt. I know love. My Father is calling me to return, once again. Always, ever so gently.
Repeated twice in this short book, God says, "Consider your ways..."
And so I pray one of my favorite morning verses.
O LORD, in the morning you will hear my voice;
in the morning I will order myself before you
and eagerly watch.
Psalm 5:3
(version Tkay, mix of NASB and ESV)
Ordering myself before the LORD, often translated as preparing a sacrifice. But I love image of a sacrifice as getting things in the order that they were created to be...my Creator God, first. And then the reminder that I am just a creature.
Considering my ways, LORD.
I have some lie, some misconception about "work"--deep in my mind. I know this. It is an issue for me.
What are your words about work, LORD? What do you say about yourself in this book? What do you say to your people at their place and time?
Consider your ways. Consider your ways. Obey. Fear me. I stir up the spirit of man.
Be strong. Be strong. Be strong. Work, for I am with you. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.
Father God, do your work in my heart and mind. Allow the truth that you would have me learn out of this text to set me free. I cry out! If I am striving, trying to stir up my own spirit, by your grace, teach me and I will learn. You are the one who stirs up the spirit of man to do your work. I am called to be satisfied and rest.
My part...be STRONG, and not just a little. And work...KNOWING that you are with me.
Yes, be strong. And know. I am with you. I am with you, child, daughter, princess, warrior. I am with you, Tony Kay. My Spirit REMAINS with you. Do not fear. Work the work that I stir you up to work. And remember to dance!
