Now
therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!
Haggai 1:5
As
I shared a message from Haggai yesterday, I couldn’t help but reflect on one of my dad’s favorite sayings. Particularly during my teen years, dad
was known to deliver it with a stern expression. He would say, “Son, think about what you are doing.” Now, I would be the first to admit that it was well
deserved. Dad had a unique way of enlarging my perspective on a situation! The
words of the Lord of hosts in Haggai 1:5 were not directed at a teenager. In
fact, the prophet Haggai was speaking to a governor and the son of the high
priest. The application of those words spread to the exiles that had returned
to Jerusalem during the 6th Century B.C. It was a wake-up call. The
exiles went home to rebuild the temple. After a while, the work on the temple
stalled and their attention shifted away from the house of God to their own
houses.
It’s a historical scenario that sheds light on some dangerous
tendencies. It’s easy in life to lose focus. The shift
from God’s plans and purposes slowly fades and
our own pursuits gain traction. Our time, energy and resources take on a
selfish trajectory. Taken personally, the message of Haggai 1:5 reads, “Consider the direction of your life!” It’s a wake-up call that most of us need
to hear from time to time.
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