All For Nothing, Or all for the One?

HagGi 1:1-8

On the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius,
The word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai
to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel,
and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak:

Thus says the LORD of hosts: 
This people says:
"The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD."
(Then this word of the LORD came through Haggai, the prophet:)
Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses,
while this house lies in ruins?

Now thus says the LORD of hosts:
Consider your ways!
You have sown much, but have brought in little;
you have eaten, but have not been satisfied;
You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated;
have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed;
And whoever earned wages
earned them for a bag with holes in it.

Thus says the LORD of hosts:
Consider your ways!
Go up into the hill country;
bring timber, and build the house
That I may take pleasure in it
and receive my glory, says the LORD.

Why is it sometimes I find myself trying to do things for the wrong reasons? For many years I had worked and toiled for what seemed like a good idea, to make money to buy stuff. Later in life I worked to make money and to build security. It hasn't been until recently that I have realized work has nothing to do with either of these ideas. These are ideas of the world, and I bought the ideas of the world, hook, line and sinker. Work I have come to know is for me to build character and virtue. Working to buy stuff turns me into a slave because there is NEVER enough stuff. Working for security or retirement is a beautiful idea, but truth be told I could die this very night and what would a million dollars in the bank do for me.  Please know that I am not suggesting that you should throw caution to the wind and never prepare for old age or that you should live a life of poverty, but having a misaligned focus on procuring treasure or riches is empty folly. I try now to work for the benefit of building myself up and to work to help God and his mission. I work to use my talents to help those in need.

LuKe 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
"John has been raised from the dead";
others were saying, "Elijah has appeared";
still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen."
But Herod said, "John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?"
And he kept trying to see him.

How often do I "see" God or Godly things in the world and have the absence of understanding. I will admit it is quite often. I allow myself to be distracted and disconnected from God. It's these times when God arrives and I don't understand him. I am like Herod and I am perplexed by the word but at the same time I want to be around it. It's not until I let go of my ego and what I want, my will, and pursue God's will that I will understand and find happiness that is completely fulfilling.

God,

I love you and I will admit that most times I am a complete idiot. Please be patient with me and teach me. Wake me up and shake me hard if need be. Deep down I know that your way will make me happy. Help me to ignore the pursuit of pleasure and and chase your satisfying happiness. Help me to turn all my talents and treasure over to you so that it can grow up to 100-fold. Not for my benefit, but for yours and my neighbors so that I can become complete. Help me to choose Thy will over my will. I love you. You have done so much for me, and I am not nearly grateful enough.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen