C.Ryenne Thoughts

A couple of mornings ago, I was reading in Haggai and the Lord gave me something so good to share!

I recommend reading Haggai 1:2-11 but here is a little summary.

Basically, Haggai was a minor prophet who went to Judah and talked about how the people were saying it was not the right time to rebuild the Lord’s temple. Verse 3 says, “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” He mentions how they need to give careful thought to their ways and instructs them to go build the temple (God’s dwelling place).

Verse 9 says, “‘You expected much, but see it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.”

The people then obeyed, and the Lord said, “I am with you.”

There are a lot of points one could get from this passage, but there was one that really stood out to me.

Sometimes we are so focused on our “houses” (the things around us) that we forget about God’s dwelling place. The more it is left alone, the more it goes to ruins.

God’s dwelling place in Haggai was a temple, but now His dwelling place is us.

Are you so focused on what is happening around you that you are not taking care of your relationship with Jesus?

It is great to take care of yourself. I am all for self-care, but the best form of self-care is taking time to mend and focus on your relationship with Jesus.

Worrying about the future or current situations are not going to do you any good. It actually can make your health worse, lead to more acne breakouts, affect your mentality, and put a strain on your relationship with Jesus.

It is hard to not be worried, and some things are understandable.

Specifically in reference to the future, if you are worried then it signals a lack of trust in God. It’s a very harsh statement and everyone goes through it, but it is true.

One full-proof way to feel mentally and physically at peace is to consistently go to the Lord. Sit in your worry with Him and hand it over to Him. He is with you.

Taking care of ourselves is extremely important, but we need to include Jesus in our self-care. Distracting ourselves can only help with so much. Sit down with Jesus and deal with what has made you emotional. The enemy will make you think oh that’s a lot of work and oh I don’t want to let down that wall.

The enemy is a liar and wants you to sit in suffering. Jesus wants to extend compassion and feel those things with you.

When you are brokenhearted, He feels that. When you are in mourning, He feels that. When you are crying out to Him, He is sitting right there with you.

In my Sunday morning service, my pastor said something that really stood out to me. You know when a parent hears that cry from their child? The one that sends them running? It is the sound that signals something is absolutely wrong.

When you cry out to Him, He runs to you, just like a parent would in that moment.

So, stop spending so much time focusing on your “house”, whatever it may be. The future, a career choice, relationship choice, a test, a breakup, etc.

Work on the Lord’s dwelling place do not abandon it, or it may come to ruin.

Haggai 2:9 says, “‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place, I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

Jesus wants to dwell with you and be there every moment. Why not let him?

Not only does He want to dwell with you, but He also wants to continuously build his relationship with you. If you have drifted away from Him, He wants to rebuild his dwelling place in you.

Jesus never wants you to be stagnant. He is continuously calling us to grow. He wants you to be great and live a great life. Most importantly, He wants His relationship with you to be great and then continue to be greater.

In building His dwelling place, you will have a peace beyond understanding. A peace that so many people are searching for, and they do not know where to find it.

Jesus.

That’s where to find it.

I challenge you all, as well as myself, to spend an extra amount of time with Jesus this week. At least once a day intentionally put aside some time for Him. Not just talking at Him, but truly listening and sitting in His presence.

He is with you.

He is waiting for you with wide open arms. No matter what you have done, where you come from, your worries, or trials, He is waiting.

– C. Ryenne

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:9-10

“In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” Psalm 18:6

“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8