Don't Miss the Promises!

What has God asked you to do that you are putting off?  That was the question posed by my pastor this morning from the pulpit as he relayed the message from the first chapter of Haggai.  The children of Israel were building homes for themselves since returning from exile, yet their consensus was that it wasn't the right time to rebuild the temple.  Though they were doing all the other right things, God's instruction was not their priority.  "You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag of holes." (Haggai 1:6)  And yet, "I am with you," says the Lord. (vs 13b)

I needed that message.  I believe God has prompted, encouraged and made it clear to me to write about Him through many years of my life. When my heart is not right with God, I stop writing.  It seems that nothing comes to me naturally in my times of drought.  Since my writing is about my relationship with the Lord, it doesn't seem appropriate for me to ever put my thoughts down to share if I have not first approach Him in humble and earnest prayer.  What's the cure for an arid, barren soul when creativity and joy elude me?  Go back to the beginning - the first seeds of the dream and find out what has stolen my joy.  Without fail, I can always trace my lack of motivation to something in my own heart that isn't right with my Savior.

I have been reading over and over again in the Old Testament about the Israelites straying from the Lord.  He raised up prophets to bring warnings to them, and usually the warnings went hand in hand with an alternate promise for restoration and blessings as well.  It all hinged on the choices they made next - not that "works" impress the Lord.  There's nothing we can do in our lives to make Him love us any more than He does right now, and on the flip side, there's also nothing we can do to cause Him to love us any less.  No, but the Israelite's actions in response to the prophets' warnings or blessing would reflect the condition of their hearts.  

As I was reading this scenario repeatedly in the Old testament in my devotional time, I really wondered why the Children of Israel couldn't seem to get excited about the promises of God.  At the same time, I have had to ask myself that same question.  In my own life, when I get so overwhelmed with the immediate issues and needs in my own little world, I tend to skim over the blessings promised in the Bible, become hardened to them or worse - I secretly wonder if His blessings are for other, better people.  I miss His love and grace all too often as I focus on my own achievements or lack therof as the catalyst for all that He has already offered to me in His Word.  In reality, He is still living in me, with all the power of the Holy Spirit.  When I secretly struggle with Him over control of my life, my ears become deaf to His love and promises - just like the Israelites.

Picture your Father, standing in front of you with a beautifully wrapped gift containing the thing He has personally chosen for you - something He knows will bring joy to your heart!  Now picture Him as he watches you set the gift aside without unwrapping it to walk out the door with your head down because you know your relationship with Him has grown cold! The promises are still as bright, but your heavy heart has made you indifferent and distant.

So the question is - what has God asked you to do that you aren't doing?  More importantly - why aren't you?  I'm so thankful that I receive the blessings that come from obedience to His prompting when I sit down to write!  Writing is not only a gift God has so graciously given to me, wrapped up in the beauty of His love - it is also a gift I can give back to Him!  When I can meditate on His promises as I pray for grace to obey, I am whole.  You have a purpose that is unique to you, and it is a gift from the Lord.  Go back to the beginning and find that joyous seed in your soul.  Remember the dream placed in your heart long ago that just won't die?  Dust yourself off, take hold of His hand and allow Him to breathe His promise to never leave you as He equips you to do the thing He created you for.  What are you waiting for?

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for your promises.  May I never allow the noise, worry or frustration of sin to drown out Your gently whispered promises.  When You chose to describe Yourself in one word, You chose the word love.  Please help me to remember that You, in your lovingkindness and mercy, have drawn me to You.  Though I will never comprehend the depth and height, width or breadth, please keep my heart soft and my ears open to all You have to say to me.  Please help us all to put aside whatever hinders, open our ears to Your calling, embrace the gifts You are offering, and then offer them back to you as we seek to do Your will.  In Jesus name...