Got Holes?

Happy Sunday!! With the help of my favorite random number generator I've picked the winners of Dana Mentink's books. They are: Terra H., Catrina Bradley, and Connie! Send me your addresses, ladies! And many thanks to Dana for being with us and running these THREE book giveaways! It was wonderful having you, Dana!
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We've been working at the state fair this past week and, to keep things simple, I'm in charge of the money. I like to keep some change handy in my pocket so I don't have to pull out the money bag all the time. Early in the week I wore a pair of jeans that had a hole in the pocket, the pocket that I keep the money in. It wasn't too big of a deal since the hole was barely big enough for my thumb to fit in and we didn't have to worry about coins for change. I didn't give it much thought until someone paid us with quarters. When I put them in my pocket I remembered the hole and knew if I didn't want to lose them I had to take a moment and visit the money bag.

Israel had holes in their pockets at one time, too. They had spent 70 years in exile and some of them had finally returned to the Promised Land. Haggai 1:2 says that people had decided that God didn't want them rebuilding the Temple at that point, so they had turned to their own pursuits, to rebuilding their homes.

But the people were wrong. God did want them rebuilding the Temple, He wanted them busy about His business. So even though the people of Israel had decided they were doing what God wanted them to do, they weren't and they were baffled by the way things were going. They were spinning their wheels and seeming to get nowhere fast. God said they had holes in their pockets.

“You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes.” Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways!” ~Haggai 1:6

When I read that recently it jumped off the page at me. How many times have I decided that God didn't want me to do something? How many times have I turned my focus to my own pursuits when God wanted me busy about His business? I know that I've done that far too many times, and not all that long ago, either! So many times I've started something then decided that maybe God didn't want me doing that after all, so I'll change my focus and start working on one of my own projects, only to find myself spinning my wheels and feeling less fulfilled than ever. I need to consider my ways, just as God said through Haggai, and get to work doing what God wants me to do—not what I want to do. There's a promise to go with doing God's work, one that gives me courage when I'm trembling:
“But now take courage... and work; for I am with you,” declares the Lord of hosts. “As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!” ~Haggai 2:4-5

How about you? Got holes you need to mend?

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:48 AM

    Thanks for this reminder!
    Sunny

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh yes! I definitely have those holes. I'm SO glad He tells us what we need to do - even when we don't listen.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great thoughts, Peej. Thanks for sharing even when you're so busy at the fair!

    ReplyDelete

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