Don’t Put Off What God Is Calling You to Do

A Lesson from Haggai, Chapter 1

Sometimes we become so focused on our own comfort and circumstances that we neglect the very work God has called us to do. I know because I have been stuck in this predicament for over a year now. The Lord has been calling me back to something He spoke to my heart over a year ago, and I have been putting it off.

In Haggai, chapter 1, we find the Israelites in a similar situation. They had returned from exile, but the Lord's temple remained in ruins while the people focused on building and improving their own homes. Listen to what God says through the prophet Haggai:

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘These people say, “The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.”’Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: ‘Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?’”— Haggai 1:2–4

Ouch! Talk about a heart check.

Lately, I have been putting a lot of focus on my financial stability and comfort level. A big part of this has been trying to figure out how to make this store and ministry profitable.

One of the things the Lord has asked me to do is WRITE.

And my response? "How is that going to pay the bills, Lord?"

Really, Chris? Is God faithful or isn't He? Is His will the best case scenario for your life, or are you trying to take matters into your own hands and birth another Ishmael?

I know what God's Word says. I know His promises are true, regardless of what my current circumstances might look like. So what is holding me back?

Doubt. Fear. Pride. The usual suspects.

And the consequences of allowing these things to take the lead are much like what we see in Haggai:

“Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but 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

This is exactly what has been happening to me. I have been crying out to the Lord why are my sheep pens not full Lord? I have blight all over my crops!

I find myself caught in the very same predicament as the Israelites. But instead of getting on board with what the Lord told me, I kept going round and round getting no where. I was stressed about my finances, and kept turning back to what felt familiar and practical: selling products through retail. I kept trying to make that work because it felt like the best way to be able to do ministry and pay the bills.

But God has not blessed my practicality and my efforts have all been in vain and my purse has a hole in it! So I humbled myself and asked, "What is it that God is actually calling me to do? Ministry yes, but what else?"

As I scoured my journals over the last year there was a theme in my quiet time with Him. It couldn't be anymore clear. He is calling me to write and speak. To focus on the blog and eventually share these same messages through a podcast. To use the words He has placed on my heart to encourage, challenge, and point others back to Him.

So, after striving for over a year and getting no where, I decided to walk into my office today, open my laptop, and start writing.

And you know what? I absolutely love it.

I know this is what I am supposed to be doing. I have heard this from so many long time believers: When God calls you to something, it may stretch you beyond your comfort zone, but there is a sense of purpose and alignment when you finally step into it.

That is how I feel when I write. I find myself laughing and crying, sometimes all at once, with excitement and just a little tinge of fear. I don't know exactly how this story is going to unfold, but I know the Author. And that makes all the difference.

Maybe God is asking you to do something that doesn't make sense on paper. Maybe He is asking you to step out in faith, start something new, have a difficult conversation, serve in a different capacity, or finally pursue something He has been placing on your heart.

If so, my encouragement is this: Take the step forward in faith, even if your hands are trembling and your knees are shaking. Our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us. We don't need to have the entire plan figured out before we obey the next thing He has asked us to do.

Don't procrastinate and miss the opportunity He has for you. After all delayed obedience is disobedience.

Sometimes we need a gentle nudge, and sometimes God has to get our attention in a much bigger way. Just ask Jonah! We really don't want God to send us into the gut of a whale to get our attention.

A Moment of Reflection

A Heart Check: What Are you building?

There is nothing inherently wrong with caring for our homes, finances, or daily responsibilities. But when those things begin to take priority over what God has asked us to do, we need to stop and give careful thought to our ways.

As Haggai 1:5 says, "Give careful thought to your ways."

That is the heart of this message. It isn't about abandoning our responsibilities or neglecting practical needs. It's about making sure we haven't allowed our own plans and pursuit of comfort to overshadow God's calling.

What has God been asking you to do that you keep putting off? Is it fear, doubt, pride, financial concerns, or the desire for comfort that is keeping you from taking that first step?

Take some time to pray and ask God to reveal where your priorities may have become misaligned with His calling.

Remember, you don't have to know how everything is going to work out. You just need to trust Him. When we step forward with what He is asking of us, He will get the job done.

 ^"Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord". Haggai 1:13

Amen!

Love,

Chris