Some “through the bible” thoughts from the Old Testament book of Haggai.
“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4)
In post-exilic Jerusalem, everyone’s time is consumed working on their homes. Of course they need a place to live. But they haven’t gotten around to rebuilding the temple. The focus on day-to-day living left them little energy for their spiritual lives.
Working a job, raising a family, and maintaining a home demands much time and energy. Getting everyone up and out the door for an hour of worship is no simple task. Even when you do it for a living (like a pastor), squeezing God into life is challenging.
God knows this. Ultimately he builds his temple out of people, “a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22). Instead of waiting for us to make room for him, God makes room for us in his church. Instead of God being a part of what I’m doing, I’m a part of what he’s doing. Rather than waiting for me to invite him into my life, he invites me into his. Pretty clever, huh?
Waite for it... 