Have you ever felt like God was calling you to serve Him someplace that was outside of your comfort zone? I know I have. My inner monologue has gone something like this: "I don't feel peace in that place, but I feel peace right here where I am. So, I don't think the time is right for me to go serve over there. I think I'm living in God's will right where I am because I feel comfortable here."
Are we in danger of mistaking comfort for peace? Are we ignoring the nudge of the Holy Spirit because our hearts are satisfied with worldly comfort rather than a heavenly calling? The Israelites found themselves in a similar place after God set them free from Babylon. But in their freedom, they decided to live life their own way instead of God's way.
The Lord sent the prophet Haggai to wake up the people of Israel with an exhortation to rebuild His temple, which they had left in ruins for 16 years after their return from Babylonian captivity. Cyrus, King of Persia, issued an edict allowing the Jews to rebuild their temple after their exile. So what kept them from building it during those 16 years of freedom?
Originally, opposition from the Samaritans kept them from obeying the Lord's command to them; however, as the years went on, the Israelites began to find other excuses such as, "the timing isn't right" (Haggai 1:2). Yet, the time was right for them to build their own homes.
"Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.' Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, 'Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?'" Haggai 1:2-4
I don't know about you, but I can see myself in the Israelites. Their excuses sound pretty similar to the excuses I make now when God is telling me to step out in faith and obedience:
They weren't in tune with God's voice, so when they faced opposition, they assumed it might mean God didn't want them to continue. When the Israelites put off building the temple, they believed they could obey God in their own timing when it was easier, instead of having faith in God's timing and strength to continue in the midst of opposition.
However, their delayed obedience was still disobedience. Inaction was still an active choice.
The problem was not that they built themselves homes- but that they lived in comfort and luxury while the house of the Lord was in ruins. They simply had wrongly ordered priorities and were content to let the cause of the Lord suffer rather than give up their comfort and face the opposition head-on.
As a result, no matter how hard they worked, they found their finances, food, and drink lacking (Haggai 1:6-9). The Lord withheld blessings from them because of their disobedience. Did He do this out of spite or pettiness? By no means. God wanted to get their attention. He was saying, "Hey! Turn and follow Me, so you can experience my abundant blessings for you." He wanted to show them that everything they had comes from Him- not from the work of their own hands (Haggai 2:17).
When the Lord prophesied through Haggai, Israel listened and began building the temple (Haggai 1:12). What happened next? God blessed them for their obedience (Haggai 2:19). He promised His people that He was with them, and emboldened them with strength, instructing them not to fear (Haggai 2:4).
When we seek God's kingdom first, He promises that He will provide everything else that we need. When we live in obedience to His will, He gives us life to the full.
"Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)
Our idea of abundance might look different than God's. When you submit your will to His, it doesn't mean He will make a Lamborghini appear in your driveway. As we follow Him, He transforms our hearts to desire the things that He desires: love, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, compassion, mercy, and more. He is the Provider of our daily physical needs, but far greater is the reward of eternal blessing.
Looking at your life today, what is God asking you to step out in obedience for? Where are you living in comfort while leaving the things that the Lord has called you to in ruins? Where are you facing opposition? It may be the exact place where God is calling you to minister. Pray and ask the Lord to show you where He is calling you and read His Word daily to know His voice. Then, don't be afraid to take that step of faith, because He promises that He is with you, friend.
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13)