But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Haggai 2:4 (NLT)

Wendy and I are at the lake this week getting a few days of R&R. We have not been here nearly as often as we’d hoped this summer. Time at the lake was sacrificed over the past month because we’ve been working on a project back home that we both felt called to do. It was a lot of work, created a lot of stress, and left us exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally.

So it is with things we’re called to accomplish. They may not be easy. You may wonder why on earth you’re expending all your resources. There are usually periods of time when you ‘re convinced it could never be worth it.

Decompressing this week and taking time to look back, Wendy and I are both convinced that God has, is and will do more through our not-so-little project than either of us could possibly imagine. We couldn’t see it in the midst of the work, and we didn’t anticipate all that it would be. But now, looking back, we are catching a glimpse of why we were supposed to do it.

If find it interesting that God’s message through Haggai was essentially the same as it had been to Joshua, and to Solomon: “Be strong. Get to work. I am with you.” This is a good reminder for those struggling to step up and do what God has called you to accomplish. When you’re deep in the struggle, everyone needs a little word of encouragement.

So let me encourage you today: Be strong. Don’t be afraid. Get to work. God is with you.