When Your "Busy" is Breaking You
Have you ever felt like you’re running a race on a treadmill? You’re working harder than ever, picking up extra shifts, and checking every box on your to-do list—yet at the end of the day, you feel strangely empty. (This can’t only be me?!) Your bank account might be growing, but your soul feels like it has a leak. If that’s you, I want to introduce you to a man named Haggai. He was a prophet with a very specific, very "loud" message for people who were exhausted, distracted, and wondering why their lives weren't "working" the way they expected.
The 520 BC Connection
The year was 520 BC. A group of people had returned to their homeland after years of exile. They had big dreams of rebuilding their lives and their Temple. But then, life happened. Opposition arose, the economy got tough, and they got... distracted. For 18 years, they focused on their own "paneled houses"—their personal comforts and career goals—while the "House of God" (the spiritual center of their lives) sat in ruins.
The "Bag with Holes"
Haggai shows up and points out something fascinating. He observes that the people are:
Sowing much but harvesting little.
Eating but never being full.
Earning wages just to put them into a "bag with holes." (Haggai 1:6)
Sound familiar? It’s the ancient version of modern burnout. Haggai argues that their frustration isn’t a streak of bad luck; it’s a priority problem. They were building on the sand of self-interest rather than the rock of God’s presence.
Why This Matters Today
In this series, we’re going to walk through the four short messages of Haggai. We’re going to talk about:
The Paneled House: Why our "comfort" is often our biggest distraction.
The Foundation: Why God marks December 18 as a turning point for blessing.
The Signet Ring: Why your "small" acts of obedience carry eternal weight.
As a nurse, I’m used to checking vitals. This study is a "vitals check" for the soul. It’s an invitation to stop building "some things" for God and start building everything on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Join the Journey! Let’s stop mending bags with holes and start building something that lasts.
Reflection Questions:
Where in your life do you feel like you are working the hardest but seeing the least amount of "harvest" (joy, peace, or fruit)?
Is there a spiritual step you’ve been putting off by saying, "The time hasn't come yet" or "I'll do that when life calms down"?
What is one small, practical thing you can do today to put God back at the center of your "construction site"?
Next Post: The Luxury of Distraction: Is your "Paneled House" hiding your purpose?