As some of you know I’ve been finishing our basement for the past three years. I’ve had to learn along the way, beginning with the studs, then the electrical work, the walls, the ceiling, the flooring. It’s still not done.
Even though our basement is not complete, we’ve had guests come to visit. They’ve stayed in this unfinished space. At first sleeping on air mattresses, but slowly and surely, as rooms have come together, we now have proper bedding, flooring, furniture, in some of the space.
In October we’ll continue our study through the book of Zechariah. God is speaking into the unfinished project of the temple. And the people are sometimes engaged and attentive to all that He’s doing. Other times they are rejecting Him and turning away. Yet in the middle of it all God is speaking to them about what He’s going to do one day. This image of an unfinished project also relates to people. Their obedience and faithfulness come and go. It is certainly not complete.
The good news is that God doesn’t wait for everything to be in order. He tells them that He’s going to show up in the middle of their waffling. And instead of waiting on them to get everything together, He steps in and completes the work for them.
Each week this month we will move through the heart of Zechariah. Each week adds a layer of a guest moving into unfinished space. On October 4 God tells His people He’s not just visiting. He’s coming to stay. The next Sunday, October 11, we see God stepping in to transform the space. He’s not just a guest. He’s active in doing the work of renovation. On October 18, the temple foundation is still untouched. God reminds us that the progress will happen through His Spirit alone, not through our effort. And on October 25, we learn that it’s really not about building the structure. It’s about the one who’s moving in. Are we in relationship with Him? Do we know Him?
God doesn’t wait for us to be finished. God doesn’t wait for us to get our lives in order. He comes in the midst of construction, in the midst of exposed ceilings and unfinished drywall work. He moves in and begins to transform us.
Join us this month as we explore these passages together.
Worship Schedule
- October 04 - Coming to Stay (Zechariah 2)
Additional Readings: Psalm 84:1-4, Ephesians 2:19-22 - October 11 - A New Beginning (Zechariah 3)
Additional Readings: Psalm 51:7-12, Ephesians 4:20-5:2 - October 18 - A Work in Progress (Zechariah 4-6)
Additional Readings: Psalm 104:27-30, Philippians 1:3-6 - October 25 - Is Your Heart In It? (Zechariah 7-8)
Additional Readings: Psalm 51:15-17, Mark 7:5-8
