Day 1 - Personal Best 1

So I sit down with a cup of coffee today and decided to have a little quiet time with God. Molly and Hannah snuggle up next to me on the couch and ask me if I am gonna read my Bible. When they realize they can join me, they dash for their little picture Bibles and begin to imitate me.

"What are you doing now dad?" I tell them that I am going to read my Bible for a few minutes, then I am going to sit quietly for a few minutes to think about it, and then I am going to pray for a few minutes - telling Jesus again that I love Him, that I need His help today to learn more about Him, to make good choices and that I look forward to opportunities to tell somebody about Him (maybe even 2 little girls with picture Bibles and smiles that melt me like buttah)

Cute daddy moment over...

I turn to Haggai because I was talking with my friend Jose on Monday night about it. The whole book is only 2 pages....perfect.

So the Israelites have come from home Babylon (thank you Cyrus) and have started to rebuild the Temple that was destroyed. But they have not finished it because they have all gotten distracted by their personal responsibilities and commitments. Haggai steps up with a message from the Lord that He is really disappointed that they have neglected to finish rebuilding and put their selfish interests ahead of Him. That's putting it nicely.

So I sit there and I think. I remember this story. The people get their act together and finish the Temple, even though it pales in comparison to the former Temple. So what do you want me to get out of this God? I know everything is Scripture is useful for teaching. But what do you want me to learn? Surely not every single word has to have a personal impact everyday? (these were my actual thoughts... I know what your thinking, boy is he in for it) Then I re-read the part where God is encouraging the people since they are discouraged by this new less-glorious Temple.

"The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former... and in this place I will give peace"

And it hits me.... That's me! He's talking about me!

Follow me...
The Temple was the dwelling place of the Lord, which was replaced by Jesus, the fullness of God dwelling in a single man, which made it possible for me (and you) to become the human dwelling place of His Holy Spirit; all the glory of God, poured out for and into me. I am the promsed, more glorious dwelling place of His peace!

Then comes the conviction. "Baird, so why do you neglect my house for your own selfish interests? Why don't we spend time like this....every day? Why do you neglect our relationship?"

Confession...
I have become haphazard about my quiet times with God. Sure I study and read books about Christian things, sure I lead worship and talk about spiritual things with others, sure I pray with my girls and model Christ for them, sure I am on staff at church...
But my quiet times have been at best a convenience for me. I am a "Martha", running around trying to make everything perfect for Him, but I am also a post-exilic Jew, worrying about my crops and neglecting the building of His Temple, which is my personal relationship with Christ.

This wasn't just a revelation toady. I have been wrestling with this over the past few weeks. Today just nailed it for me. So no more casual devotionals, no more whenever I can fit it in, no more running around doing stuff for God and neglecting the growth of my relationship with Him.

Today is Day 1 of daily, quiet times with my first love, Jesus.
My personal best is 1 day in a row.

Thanks Haggai. Thanks Jose. Thanks Chuck Booher and Tony Wood. Thanks Jesus.