“‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? But now be strong, Zerubbabel,” declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear…The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.’”
Haggai 2:3-5, 9 (NIV)
Father God, as I reflect upon what I have done thus far this week and step into the tasks of this day I must admit I am often not impressed with what I have accomplished. Even when I get done what I have set my mind to get done, I sometimes find myself looking at it and being a tad disappointed. Either the results don’t measure up to what I expected or the finished product does not live up to the hype I had in mind…
For certain, LORD, I am speaking somewhat metaphorically right now. If I were to be truly honest with You, this realization is true pertaining to my entire life. When I was young I believed I could do anything, aspired to be someone great, set out to change the world. Then life started “lifin’” and before I knew it I was settling. And when I look at what I have built, it can somewhat look like nothing. When I compare it to what my head had conceived in my youth, the “former glory,” it falls dreadfully short. My soul resonates with Zerubbabel and the people who saw the glory of the past and longs for it (Ezra 3:12).
Today, my spirit hears You, Father. I hear You encouraging me to get back to work. I hear You exhorting me not to look at the work as what I am building, but instead to focus on my relationship with You. My work is not about the work; it is about being with You! The glory in it is not in the work itself. It is in my spirit being aligned with Your Spirit, my efforts in line with Your will. Therein is my peace. Therein is the fulfillment of my purpose. Therein is my joy!
So today, Father, I look for the signs of Your presence in all of my efforts. My spirit longs to hear You say, “Well done!” I put my hands to the work before me not for the pleasure and satisfaction that comes from completing the task, though that is a benefit for certain. No. I do so in order that I might press into Your presence. I want to be with You. Be with me, Father, as You have promised.
Thank You for sending Christ to eternally secure my place in Your family. Thank You for filling me with Your Holy Spirit as the guarantee of my seat at Your table. Thank You for the promise of Your presence, both now and forever. Amen.