The government shutdown has shut me down. Though I wanted to post something online every day, there was always something new to deal with–not the least, the constant notifications of ICE presence in our community wrestling people to the ground and dropping tear gas canisters to disperse crowds that are protesting their use of excessive force. Obviously, a government shutdown has not impacted ICE agents paychecks or activities, but it has impacted everything else. Today, 42.5 million low-income seniors, children, unhoused, and veterans who depend on SNAP woke up to the reality that feeding themselves this month will be a challenge.

And what is our President doing? Posting on social media, of course. But he’s not posting about ending the shutdown or opening the SNAP contingency fund so that children will not go to bed hungry in the richest nation on the planet. No. He’s posting about how he has remodeled the Lincoln Bathroom at the White House in exquisite black and white marble with resplendent gold fixtures..

I was reminded of God’s displeasure (expressed through the prophet Haggai) about the peoples’ priorities. God asks, “Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses while this house (God’s temple) lies in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4 – Common English Bible)

After returning to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon and rebuilding the walls of the city, the people prioritized renovating their homes. Meanwhile, the temple was a pile of rubble and there was no sense of urgency about restoring it.

I sense the same misplaced priorities today–not just from the president, but from so many others in leadership. The temple of God, made up of the living stones of God’s holy people, is neglected and in ruins. And there is seemingly no interest in addressing the distress. No concern. No urgency. No regard.

Building a ballroom, renovating the Kennedy Center and paneling the Lincoln bathroom in marble while people suffer exposes the heart of this administration. Leaders may talk about restoring faith and promoting morals, but their actions (and inaction) reveal the truth: Their thoughts are not God’s thoughts; their priorities are not God’s priorities; their agenda is not God’s agenda.

God’s word to the people through Haggai was, ““Give careful thought to your ways.” (Haggai 1:7) It’s time to rebuild the living temple of God–not maintain the façades of success and glory because, in the end, the marble will crumble.