Lent Thirty Three "Get up and Walk"

 

Untitled-painting by Allen Anthony- Hansen, Ugallery

Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed. Alexander Pope, Letter, 1727

Born in London, Pope rather neatly moved to to Popeswood, near Bracknell, where Catholic were afforded great freedom and safety.  Pope lived in challenging times, but the question remains. What do I want?  What do I hope for?  

Haggai

I hear you saying that it is not yet time to return and restore the place of worship for the Creator. Yet you are looking after yourselves quite nicely. You know that this lifestyle does not satisfy. You work hard, but gain little profit. You eat well, but never feel full. You drink when thirsty, but it’s not quite enough. You buy rich clothes but they don’t keep you warm. And your pockets always seem to have holes in them! Put your hearts and minds into doing something for the Creator, and meaning will return to your lives. You will see that what you turn your hand to will succeed. The leaders and the people actually listened. They understood the meaning of the message. On the 21st September they began to invest in restoring places of worship. 

17th October 520 BCE  

I am wondering if you ever saw the previous buildings? It is of no consequence. The Creator’s presence is in you. You have nothing to fear. I assure you, the former greatest of this work will return. All peoples from the surrounding regions will see it and marvel at the riches and splendour. 

18th December 520 BCE 

Let’s test the leaders to see how their faith has stood up over time. If you have set aside money for the Creator, but remember something you really need as you prepare to make your gift, is ok to postpone the gift? The leaders were clear, ‘not at all - our first priority it to give back to the Creator, and trust that our needs will be met.’ What about if the money has come from unethical sources? ‘Then it is an unsuitable gift.’ You are correct, and have explained why things went so wrong in the past. You are putting things right, and blessing will come as a consequence. 

Haggai informed the leaders of future tumult; that great changes were about to happen in the nations. But they would be protected because they had restored their relationship, and remained faithfulness. 

PRAYER:  I walk with the Creator of all in me.  All things are possible.