15 “ ‘Now give careful thought to this from this day on—consider how things were before one stone was laid on another in the Lord’s temple. 16 When anyone came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When anyone went to a wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were only twenty. 17 I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew and hail, yet you did not return to me,’ declares the Lord. – Haggai 2:15-17 (NIV)
In 2002, my marriage of almost two years was on the brink of divorce, my radio career – my lifelong dream – was over, we had no money, my father-in-law is dying of cancer, my car is close to being repossessed, and I even managed to lose the crummy part-time gas station job I was able to find.
And did I mention, I was running from the Lord, His commands, and His calling on my life to go into ministry?
I know what it’s like to have everything around me falling apart as I lived in disobedience, and I pray I will never forget what life was like before the Lord saved me; before He started to build me into the temple of His Holy Spirit.
While I know we must be careful calling difficult circumstances of life “God’s judgment” – lest we accidentally end up sounding like Job’s friends – I also know God gives us free will to make stupid, sinful decisions and allows us to experience the consequences of them. And because He is loving, He disciplines us like a good Father. Not for the sake of punishment, but so that we would come to our senses and return home to Him.
Will you stop and consider the willful sin in your life today?
Will you stop and consider where you are living in disobedience to His commands and calling on your life?
Will you stop and consider the ramifications you’re experiencing due to sinful choices, and how much more you want to endure?
Could it be that God is allowing you to experience troubled waters not to drown you but to lead you to cleansing?
Could it be that God is trying to get your attention right now because He wants to take the rubble of your life and build you into a glorious temple so that He can be with you and live in you forever?