Replaceable.....but Irrreplaceable!

If you or I ever get the big head and feel that we are so big, so bad, so grand, so talented, so needed that we cannot be replaced...well, we are dead wrong. Wrong to feel that way, and wrong in the sense that we are all very much replaceable. Pride manifests itself in many ways. Egos that are fed and allowed to 'go to seed' become very dangerous. Like a rat tasting the peanut butter on a trap, any moment we find ourselves tasting the bait of self-dependance, self-reliance, and self importance, we are about to be ensnared in something deadly.

The Bible declares that "pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." Tis true! The forerunner of failure is a spirit that indicates no need for anyone to tell them what to do, how to do it etc. The team spirit is out the window and 'me' spirit takes the throne. Let me get squarely in front of you and tell you that you aren't worth a dime if someone can't yank your chain without you getting an attitude. One of the reasons our world is rapidly declining is because at the center of the home, God's intended headquarters for teaching discipline and respect, are young people who are being allowed to do anything they want without having anyone to tell them 'no'.

The lack of authority in the home will haunt them the rest of their lives because they will not then respect the teacher, the preacher, the policeman, the laws, the boss, etc. Soon, the only thing left is to toss them behind bars and spend thousands of dollars a year to house and feed them....all because they felt that they were above being told what to do.

We are all irreplaceable in the context of our intended purpose in life. In God's economy, non of us reach our intended, irreplaceable purpose without an upline! That is to say, we must have someone above us to help watch for us and to call us to accounting when we are out of line. When we have that, our unique abilities and talents make us irreplaceable to God and His work. In our proper setting, with the right accountability, we are awesome and none can do it better than you.

However, no matter your talent level.....every, last one of us are replaceable when we are insubordinate. Heaven must have cried a million tears at the awesome men and women who have let their talents rust and ruin all because they refused to be in submission to anyone. I think of Saul...a man who stood head and shoulders above the rest. He was mightily anointed, yet he got too big for his breeches. He refused to seek God and maintain his anointing through prayer. His anointing shield was vilely cast aside in order to pursue his own jealous ways. Bitterness crept in...nobody around could tell him no. Soon he was overtaken and his end is one of the saddest in all of Holy Writ.

Judas must have been talented and trusted. For he carried the money for the disciples and Christ Himself. A place of power. But it wasn't enough! He wanted riches...Satan sowed the seeds that came to full harvest the moment he left the table where Jesus attempted to arrest Judas attention one last time. Judas died with a million regrets. But he was replaced. Read the book of Acts where Matthias took Judas place in the 'bishoprick'. A new face at the table...the work continued.

Over and over I have seen those who wanted to threaten the church with their talents. "If you don't do it my way...I will leave!" What they don't see is that the trap is about to snap shut on themselves! As a pastor, I have always maintained that I will never be held hostage by someone's talent. My dad used to say, "We will worship God with the only music being me beating on a metal chair with a stick if we have to, rather than give in to a talented rogue."

God always sends replacements. When we keep our attitude right, God will bless. Favor follows those who will prayerfully and humbly do the right thing. When one walks out, another will walk in. I believe this! That being so, we should never think of ourselves more highly than we ought. The best among us is no more than a servant. Remembering that will ensure longevity in our work for the Lord. Keep it low....and you will fly high!!