The Unexpected Handbook to Changing Your Life.

On my screen saver for my computer and phone is my all time favorite scripture, but you wouldn’t guess it. It isn’t a beloved one that is memorized and recited. It has never made it to a cute wall hanging.

It is a scripture for anyone who has ever desired change and progress in their lives. You?

Do you ever find yourself on you knees for what feels like the kajillionth time asking for forgiveness for the same thing? Asking for strength to overcome the exact same weakness? 

You wonder, “Maybe this just who I am. Is the promise of change real or is it just something to keep me hoping?  Maybe it would be easier stick to the status quo.”  Oh no no, Did I just quote a song from High School Musical?

I happened on this scripture in one of said moments of desperation.  I wanted to move past things that were paralyzing my progression once and for all. I was feeling a bit grumpy about the whole situation and tossed open my scriptures with a less than enthusiastic hope of finding any answers. 

Miraculously, I did get an unexpected answer from an unexpected guy. Haggai to be exact.  When I  landed on Haggai my first thought was, “Oh well, that didn’t work.”  I had read the book before. A short 2 chapters telling people to build a temple.  Who is Haggai anyhow and how do you even say his name?  Is it like “Hag eye” or like “Hey guy!”  

Let me tell ya though, when you  start seeing the symbolic message in his words this Haggai is pretty amazing.  He is now one of my favorites of the Old Testament. Maybe he will be your favorite too. 

In Haggai the Lord gives some of the most stunning instruction and promises on change I’ve ever read.

At first glance you think it is the Lord telling a lazy people to get busy building a temple. Thats nice, but here’s where the beauty unfolds.  Read it as the Lord instructing and encouraging YOU to build the temple/house He envisions, the temple representing YOU.   It completely changes the meaning and message. 

Are you ready for it?  You have to promise me you’ll read this with a powerful, confident voice in your head ok?  There isn’t anything pansy about these words. Remember anytime you see the word house or temple it is referring to YOU. You are what the Lord wants to build up.

Haggai, the unexpected handbook to changing your life.

Everyone has said at some point in their lives, “the time is not come that the Lord’s house should be built.” 1:2. Ok, maybe not in those words but you’ve said it. It is the, “I’ll do it tomorrow” trap.

You put off change, aka construction, because you fear how hard it will be. You doubt that the Lord will actually change you. You fool yourself into thinking that it is easier and happier to stay where are.

The Lord’s response?

What time is it then? Is it time for you to dwell in you current house and let the house you could be living in lie in waste?  Come on! You are living in the wrong house. It is time for more!  1:4

What is the first thing you need to do?

CONSIDER YOUR WAYS. Be real about what you are doing the results it is bringing. You’ve sown much and bring in little. You eat and drink but aren’t full. You are clothed but still cold. You earn wages but put it into a bag with holes.   1:5-7

CONSIDER YOUR WAYS. What are your limiting thoughts and beliefs that drive your actions?  What are you doing over and over again that you think is working but it really isn’t?   Have you honestly looked at your results?  They aren’t as great as they could be.  Be willing to change your ways to the Lord’s ways.   

Go up to the mountain (holy places) and bring wood and build the house and I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified 1:8. Go up and start working in my ways and I will take pleasure in seeing you grow and I will be glorified because of what you will accomplish. Glorified because You are “my work and my glory.”

You’ve looked for much and it has come to little because you focused on the wrong thing as I waited to help you build. 1:9

A drought will come upon all the labor of your hands. 1:11 Stop trying to do things your way; it will only get you so far. You need the Lord first and foremost. 

How do you do things in the Lord’s way?

1. Obey the voice of the Lord your God 1:12

2. Trust that He is with you. 1:13

3. Do the work in the house of the Lord.  1:14

And here come the beautiful promises and encouragement if you will do this!

When people who knew you as your former self and your first glory, then see you now as a changed person, it won’t even be a comparison.  2:3

Be strong, work for I am with you. 2:4

I covenanted with you. Fear ye not. 2:5

I will fill this house with glory. 2:7

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former and in this place will I give peace. 2:9

Aren’t those beautiful words? Let them soak in for a second. Now here’s some more awe.

Consider from this day and upward, before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the Lord.  Remember what it was like before you decided to let the Lord work in your life.  In the days before, when you forgot to turn to Him and labored without Him; you would do work and expect results but you would only get half of what you hoped for. 2:15-17

Everything is going to change now. You are going to get fruitful results from everything you do in Me. 

From this day will I bless you. 2:19

For I have chosen you. 2:23

BOOM!  Do you feel that?!  This promise is to you my friend. Don’t ever forget it. Today is the day.  You have been chosen to do an important work and the Lord will help you. It will change you and bring blessings into your life that you have never even imagined for yourself. 

Put in on your screen saver. Put on you wall. Put it in your heart.  Put it to work. It is time.