Have you ever tried to repair something precious that was broken? Maybe a family heirloom or a sentimental piece that holds special meaning. Even after it's fixed, you can still see the cracks, the places where it was damaged. We often view ourselves the same way - focusing on our broken places rather than seeing what God sees when He looks at us.

Why Do We Focus on What Used to Be?

In the book of Haggai, we find the Israelites facing a similar struggle. They had returned from captivity and were rebuilding the temple, but they couldn't stop comparing their current work to Solomon's magnificent temple that had been destroyed. The older men who remembered the former glory were weeping because what they were building seemed so inferior.

The Danger of Living in the Past

When we constantly look backward, comparing our present circumstances to "the good old days," we set ourselves up for discouragement. This backward focus blinds us to what God is doing right now in our lives and communities.

Churches often fall into this trap, comparing current attendance to past numbers or reminiscing about how things used to be. But God isn't trying to duplicate yesterday - He's building something new today.

What Does God See That We Don't?

While the Israelites saw an inferior temple, God saw something they couldn't imagine. He promised that this temple would be filled with greater glory than Solomon's temple ever had. How was this possible?

The Glory Wasn't in the Building

The glory wasn't about the gold, silver, or craftsmanship. It was about who would walk through those doors. Jesus Christ Himself would enter that temple, filling it with a glory that no amount of precious metals could match.

When we measure God's work by what we can see with our eyes, we miss the bigger picture. We should measure progress not by external appearances, but by who is with us in the work.

How Do We Find Strength When Things Look Broken?

Three times in Haggai chapter 2, God tells the people to "be strong." This repetition isn't accidental - it's emphasis on something crucial for our spiritual lives.

Three Sources of Strength

Our strength comes from three key sources:

God's Presence - "I am with you." We don't work alone in our own power.

God's Promise - He reminds them of the covenant He made with them. His faithfulness hasn't changed.

God's Power - "My spirit remains in your midst." The same Spirit that empowered them empowers us today.

Why Does God Allow Shaking in Our Lives?

God promises to "shake the heavens and the earth" - not to destroy, but to reveal His glory. Sometimes we fear the shaking and stirring in our lives, but this is how God refines His people.

Shaking Reveals What's Eternal

God shakes the temporary things in our lives to reveal what's eternal. The storms, unexpected challenges, and difficulties we face aren't meant to destroy us but to show us what truly matters.

We should hold loosely to what can be shaken and cling tightly to what cannot be moved. Material things, circumstances, and even our plans can all be shaken, but God remains immovable.

What Should We Do When We Feel Discouraged?

When the work feels small or progress seems slow, remember that God is:

All-seeing and truth-speaking - He knows the full picture even when we can't see it.

Present and faithful - His Spirit remains with us, just as He promised.

Sovereign and glorious - He controls nations and fills His house with glory.

Keep Doing the Next Faithful Thing

Our job isn't to be impressive - it's to be faithful. When we're tired or discouraged, we simply do the next faithful thing. Take the next step, serve in the next opportunity, share the gospel with the next person God puts in our path.

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to stop tracing the lines of brokenness in your life and start seeing what God sees. Instead of focusing on what used to be or what appears lacking now, ask God to show you His perspective on your current circumstances.

Consider these questions:

Remember, God's greatest glory isn't behind us - it's ahead of us. He's not done with your story yet. Keep building, keep believing, and keep trusting that His plans for you are good, even when you can't see the full picture.