But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. Haggai 2:4
“So, my brethren, let us do our work, that others entering on it may carry it forward through after generations. Thus shall the work of the fathers become the glory of their children; and in the end, when the mystery of God shall be finished, we shall see, in its completed beauty and proportion, the great fabric into which we put our little all; and we shall rejoice at once in the skill of the Architect and the diligence of the successive builders.”
William M. Taylor in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 126.
Today’s Scripture was the verse for our Global Gathering which brought three groups together, the board, staff, and regional facilitators of GTP. Three times Haggai exclaims “Be strong” and then he adds “and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” It’s like God was speaking to all of us.
I charged the group to build GTP not for ourselves but for the next generation. Likewise, wherever you are, ask yourself if you are working for God and for the next generation. This picture of the generations as “successive builders” adds depth to our investment in their lives.
I will be somewhere in the air between Frankfurt and Denver when this posts. Upon arrival my focus turns to Sammy and Emily’s wedding celebration this coming Saturday. Pray with me for a generous outpouring of grace, love, and peace as two lives and the communities that nurtured them come together to celebrate their union in Christ.