Contemplative Bible Reading

Haggai 1:14 (New Living Translation)

1:14 So the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of the people. They began to work on the house of their God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

This is part of the (hi)story when the people were attempting to restore the Temple in Jerusalem. The building had been neglected. It basically became a warehouse of stuff.

This was a difficult task. It was possible, but difficult. Just work hard and get ‘er done. What was needed was some motivation and desire, i.e., some wanta’.

God sparked the enthusiasm of the leaders and the whole remnant of the people. They began to work.

In human history, we see people accomplishing amazing things. We also see more examples of people just sitting on the porch and saying, “Oh woe is me.” The difference is motivation, desire, some wanta’.

We read in black and white that sometimes, in some places, in some situations, God sparks the enthusiasm. God provides the motivation and desire. I am not writing that all great achievements of man come from the spark of God. I am writing that some great achievements of man come from the spark of God. Sometimes, we have the faith in what we are doing. We believe that God wants us to do something. We are sparked. We allow ourselves to be used by God.

Please God, spark me this and every day.