Working Hard Whilst Seeing No Results
Sometimes, God places us in seasons where we need to remain steadfast in not growing weary in doing good. In due time, we will reap the fruits and benefits, the blessings He has in store for us. However, working hard while bearing no fruit is frustrating, but when doing the same thing over and over and getting the same results, it’s time to question whether you need to change your priorities, mindset, and the people you allow around you.
In Haggai 1, if you do not obey the Lord, the people’s consequences are unfulfillment even though they labored diligently. God is asking them to search their ways to see if their priorities are correct and in alignment with God. Since they’re not, they’re seeking comforts to fill what only God can fill. Give careful thought to your ways. (1:5-6).
2) In pastor Steven’s sermon “When God Gives a thought to you”, he highlights that God speaks in three ways.
1) God speaks through impressions
2) Instructions
3) Interruptions
1)God is using the prophet Haggai through an impression. 2)God's saying "give careful thought to your ways" twice: this is an instruction. 3) In verses 7 through 11, the people neglected to rebuild God's Temple. In return for their disobedience, God withheld blessings and provision from the land (failing crops and livestock). This is an interruption, an interruption to prioritize his will.
God knows you, and everyone is different in their relationship and the way he shows up in your life and in the lives of those around you. He knows how you learn things. How to ignore things and how to speak to you so you can understand. He wants to have a relationship with you. You are blessed. You are chosen. Do not wait until the interruption because it can get ugly. Don’t cry out. Don’t pray only when God allows the pit. Learn to listen to him. Learn obedience, learn faith, and wait. These things are hard, but through him and through his strengths, they can be done.
Doing labor in alignment with God, prioritizing him in whatever we go through on Earth, nothing will go in vain to waste, not our tears, not our labor, our fruits will never be lost or wasted, only if we let it. If we ignore the gifts God gave us, the assignment for the season he has for us, but we’re too scared to do it or feel like we’re unequipped, it’s okay. It happens, but don’t let personal comforts or desires try to mask what God is going to do through you in your life and those around you.
Don’t let your fruits wither and become barren, or work so hard but constantly pour into people who don’t pour into you. Putting your eggs in the wrong basket. A broken basket that can’t even hold itself up, but you expect it to hold you, provide for you, support you, to be your peace and your rock when these are the things that God does effortlessly. It’s time to lay it at the altar. Come to his feet. Give your dreams, your visions, your plans, the ones that you already did and the ones that you didn’t. The ones that you want to work out so badly, but it’s not the right time. Give it to God and wait.
Supporting verses: Haggai 1:7-11, Psalms 139:23-24
Reflection Questions
Have you ever felt empty? What did you do, or how do you cope with emptiness?
What are the personal comforts that you prioritize?
Are these personal comforts in alignment with God’s will?
Let us pray,
Abba, we humbly come before you and ask you to search our hearts, our minds, and reveal to us the lofty comforts we prioritize over you, whether that’s in shame, fear, pride, discouragement, or complacency. We rebuke it in Jesus’ mighty name. Blessed will be our hands this year and the years to come, use us as your vessels. Let us remain obedient and faithful to you and whatever you have for us, good or bad help us to suffer well, wait well and, be still whatever you want us to do as the heavens are higher than us, so your ways and your thoughts are higher than our ways and our thoughts father God, you know best always and so is the plan you have for us because we don’t see it all. We don’t know it all. We surrender before you, Father God, our bodies, our days, our comforts. Help us to find comfort in you alone, whatever we’re seeking to fill the deep unfulfillment that nothing in this world can fill. But you alone can. Fill our souls with your spirit. Let us bear and be examples of the Fruits of the Spirit. You are the vine and we are the branches, and the goodness, the gifts, and your divine transformation you give us are the fruits. Help us to have an abundant harvest. Help us not make our fruits wither and become barren, and all our labor goes to waste. Help our labor be fruitful for your kingdom, for your glory, and not for temporary things, and in the in between, help us to know when to rest. We love you! It’s a privilege that you know us and hear us. Thank you, Jesus, and in Jesus’ mighty and matchless name we pray, amen.