During my recent reflection on the Book of Haggai, I’ve been struck by an interesting parallel between our modern lives and an ancient message from the Book of Haggai. Today, we rush about building our personal kingdoms – bigger homes, fancier cars, impressive careers – while our spiritual houses often lie in ruins.
The prophet Haggai spoke to the Jews who had returned from exile, finding them busy constructing their own comfortable dwellings while God’s temple sat unfinished. They looked for abundance but found scarcity. They sought prosperity but encountered frustration.
Sound familiar?
I see this same pattern playing out in countless lives today. We pour ourselves into 60-hour work weeks, schedule every minute of our children’s lives with activities, and spend hours scrolling through social media. Meanwhile, our relationship with God collects dust like an unopened Bible on the shelf.
Just as the Jews of Haggai’s time experienced diminishing returns despite their increasing efforts, many of us today find ourselves running faster but getting nowhere. We chase success, yet satisfaction eludes us. We accumulate possessions, yet feel increasingly empty. The parallel is striking – “Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little.“
The core issue hasn’t changed in 2,500 years. When we prioritize our personal kingdoms over God’s kingdom, we shouldn’t be surprised when life feels hollow. We’re building houses, but missing the foundation. We’re gaining the world but neglecting our souls.
God’s response then rings true now: “Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.” The temple in Jerusalem was meant to be a place of fellowship between God and His people. Today, our hearts are meant to be temples where God dwells.
Yet how many of us have left those spiritual temples unbuilt while we chase worldly achievements?
The good news is that the solution remains the same. When the Jews finally returned to building God’s house, He promised to be with them and bless them. The invitation stands for us today – to stop running to our own houses long enough to build something lasting with God.
Perhaps it’s time we all took stock of where we’re investing our time, energy, and resources.
Are we building monuments to ourselves while our relationship with God lies in ruins?
The choice – and the consequences – are ours.
A Prayer to help:
Heavenly Father,
My heart hurts seeing how I’ve pushed You aside, running after things that don’t last. Like those people in Haggai’s time, I’ve been so busy building my own life that I’ve left You waiting. My spiritual house is dusty and neglected while I chase after more stuff, more success, more of everything except You.
Break through my busyness. I miss You. I’m tired of feeling empty while my calendar’s full. Show me how to build what matters – not just a life that looks good on the outside, but one that’s rich with Your presence on the inside.
Help me stop running to my own house and start running to Yours. I want my life to matter, really matter, not just look successful. Make my heart Your home again.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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