"Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." (Haggai 1:5-6, NIV)
Unfulfilled.
Discontent.
Dissatisfied.
How many other words can we come up with to describe that feeling of emptiness we all have known at some point in our lives? According to Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, some synonyms for "discontent" are depression, displeasure, envy, regret, restlessness, uneasiness, and unhappiness.
What causes this? Why do we all feel so dissatisfied when we keep pouring ourselves into the things that are supposed to make us happy? We think our priorities are in line, but are they? We work hard all week long to bring home that paycheck, which is immediately spent on the important things: food, shelter, transportation. What time we have at home, we spend focusing on our families, on our children. That's what we're supposed to do! Isn't it??
Not if we're placing these priorities before God.
Don't get me wrong here... those ARE critical priorities! However, they will amount to nothing if we are not placing God FIRST in our lives. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33, NIV) Jesus promised our needs would be met (notice that I say needs, not desires), but we have to place God's Kingdom first! Seek out His will for your life, and pursue that first. Does He want you to serve where you are? Awesome! Do it! Does He want you to drop everything and do something totally different, or go somewhere totally new? Awesome! Do it! "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV)
My challenge to you today is to read the book of Haggai (less daunting than it sounds... it's the 2nd shortest book in the Old Testament!), then read Matthew 6:25-34. Study and pray on these passages, and your priorities. Ask God what steps He wants you to take to place Him first in your life.
Praying for God's blessings on you!
~Rebekah
