thinking about the Word

There is no end to the irony of timing. This situation isn't terribly ironic. But really, it does feel a little silly that the first time I consult the lectionary (with an intent to write) it doesn't do anything much for me at all. This evening I feel a lot like some of those Saturday evenings where I attempted to squeeze something, anything, out of the text that was enough for a sermon. Now that I'm doing this for FUN, I'm thinking, "are you kidding me?" I mean.. is anyone even reading this? But I digress... part of the discipline of preaching from the lectionary is encountering texts that seem difficult, mundane, ridiculous. This time, I am digging for what it is that I am to find in the text, not what I need to find to share with a community. It is a different perspective for sure.

The text that stood out to me the most was the one that spoke to a community (continuing with the irony!). The writer reminds the people that God has been faithful, will be faithful and will always be the holder, keeper and bestower of blessing. The best is yet to come. That is the message I hear. Do not fear what is happening now. Do not fear what is about to happen. God is in charge and you will be blessed, just as you have been before. Get to work and keep it up!

And... that's all folks. Really, that's it. Abundance. Go!!

Haggai 2: 1-9

2:1 In the second year of King Darius, in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the prophet Haggai, saying: 2 Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, 3 Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? 4 Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, 5 according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. 6 For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; 7 and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. 9 The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts.