Talk with anyone who has been in church ministry for a while and ask them, "Was there a time when you thought about asking God, 'Does it have to be this difficult to do what you've called me to do?'" You are likely to get a deep sigh and then a long response. But the truth is that sometimes God calls us to do the difficult.

Haggai's story tracks along several Biblical books and is central to one of the greatest moves of God in the whole Old Testament-the return of God's people to Jerusalem from exile. God moved heaven and earth, as it were, to keep His promise to His people to bring them back and to prepare them for the Promised One to come, Jesus. Even though all of this incredible activity was going on, the biggest obstacle for God's people was that what He gave them to do wasn't easy and wasn't applauded by the world around them. That is something we as Christians can easily feel today as well.

Haggai is like a coach blowing his whistle to get us off the bench of complacency and back in the game! Perhaps it's a Christian ministry, a situation at work, or a tough conversation with a loved one, we can relate to God calling us to do difficult things sometimes. Let Haggai encourage you and give renewed strength to stand in faith and live out your faith in Christ no matter the situation.