Commitment

The message of the Minor Prophets (Daniel through Malachi) continue to intrigue and challenge me. This week our Adult Bible Study group faced off with the message from Haggai. Consistent with the tone of the Minor Prophets Haggai pulls no punches.

Haggai prophesied shortly after the Israelites returned from the Babylonian Captivity to begin work on the Second Temple. The work was hard and there was a constant challenge from enemies who resided in the land. Faced with the continuing hard work and challenging circumstances the Israelites did what many people do in tough times: they quit. The foundation was laid and the work stopped.

The Israelites turned their attention to their individual needs and agendas. They busied themselves working to make their lives easier and more comfortable. The work on God's House stopped and the time, talents, and treasures of the Israelites were spent on themselves. As a result, their efforts became less and less fruitful and fulfilling. Haggai gave them this warning,

"You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house" (Haggai 1:9, NIV).

People today are definitely "busy." They are not, however, busy doing God's work but are busy working on making their lives more comfortable. People, including many Christians, fail to recognize that trying to find fulfillment and satisfaction by focusing on oneself is about as fruitful as shoveling water. After much sweat and some sore muscles there will be little gain to show for your efforts.

Only when we are committed to God and His Work do we live truly fruitful and fulfilling lives. We avoid bringing home a great harvest only to have it blown away by life's circumstances. I see people everyday that are like mice on an exercise wheel. They expend huge amounts of energy on their personal happiness, but they don't find much happiness at all. True and lasting fulfillment in life comes through a commitment to God and His Work.

Commitment. It really is not an ugly word.