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Stir It Up!
Jon Burgess“So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God,” Haggai 1:14 NIV
The exiles had started so well. An altar had been built, sacrifices offered and a foundation had been laid. Then their enemies mocked them and belittled their efforts in rebuilding the temple. Now construction had stopped and the vision for a restored center of worship for Gods people was buried under rubble of discouragment. Enter the prophet Haggai. God stirred the heart of the prophet and used him to stir the heart of the political and priestly leaders which caused a stirring of the people. It all starts with one persons spiritual awakening. It all starts with one person moved to action. It all starts with one persons blind eyes opened to the potential of what God wants to do and then the participation of becomes exponential. One pebble can cause an avalanche.
What if Haggai hadn't been obedient to speak what God had put on his heart? What if he looked around at the lack of leadership and gave in to the hopelessness himself? Thankfully he spoke up. If we want people to be stirred up we must be stirred up by His Spirit first. If we want people to be stirred up we must speak up. We cannot keep quiet in times like these. The enemy will continue to shout his accusations in his mocking tones to each of us. Let's make sure people are hearing what God thinks about them more then what the enemy thinks about them. Let's make sure people see what God wants to to do through them more then what the enemy threatens to do to them! The Hebrew word for "stirred" is used 75 times in the Old Testament. Why so often? We settle for less instead of pursuing God's best! When we get stuck we need to be stirred. When we get in our ruts we need a fresh Word! This happens often so we need to be stirred often. This is why surrounding ourselves with those who are filled with the Holy Spirit is essential to complete the task before us. Notice that it starts with the leadership. God will stir His leaders first. For we cannot lead where we have not gone. We cannot challenge others to experience that which we have refused. There must be a unified cry that rises to the heavens from Gods prophets, priests, and political leaders: Awaken us by Your Spirit to see what You see, so we can do what You've called us to do, so we can show where You're calling us to go!
Lord, I see the stirring of Your Spirit in our church! It started at the Hoolaulea celebration of our 21 Year Anniversary when no one wanted the worship to stop. It continued into the Prayer Night this past Friday as over 450 came to seek Your face for 2 hours. Now over 2000 have signed up for the five week Spiritual Journey. I can see You stirring. Keep stirring in me! Let me see with You eyes what You want to do next through this Building Initiative that so closely parallels what you were doing in the hearts of the Exiles in this passage. 23 days passed from when Haggai first challenged the leaders to when the vision spread to the people and everyone began to build. Let me not grow impatient. Let the chain reaction of change start right here!
