×

Do You Believe You’re Dispensable?

shutterstock_243516313

I recently returned from an extended time away from home. Our family was able to visit family and friends in several different states while enjoying the goodness of God’s creation. Upon returning, my son and I joined a group from our church to go to serve with our sister church in the Dominican Republic. All total I have been out of Omaha and away from our church for over a month. As a pastor this is the longest I’ve been away from our church.

Upon returning I gently dipped my toe back into our context. Texting one elder I was reassured that everything was fine. I sat down with another elder to catch up and he likewise let me know that things got along quite well without me.

In that meeting with one of my elders I was struck afresh by a precious reality: I am dispensable! Nothing came apart while I was gone. I returned to a healthy church that is progressing in the gospel. What a wonderful and humbling reality: God uses us but he doesn’t need us.

Perhaps you read my words about dispensability and thought, “Man, this guy is a bit full of himself. Who walks around thinking that they are indispensable?”

I will grant you that it sounds prideful. And this is my point. Pastors in particular are especially prone to thinking like this. Most of us are not prideful enough to say that we think we are indispensable but neither are we humble enough to actually believe it. Too often we work, worry, and wine like everything depends on us. Failing to get done what we think we need to, how we need to, and when we need to can lead to an uneasiness of the soul. The next day we double-down on ourselves and like a spinning tire in a muddy field, we only make things worse.

I’ve been there, jamming too much into a day while skimping on rest and taking a double dose of worry. These things are subtle and can quickly (and even dangerously) perpetuate themselves if left unchecked.

As a pastor I take great comfort in the story of Noah. This guy had a lot of work to do. Among other things, he preached, provided for his family, built a massive ark, and basically ran a zoo in the ocean. But you know one thing he didn’t do? He didn’t steer the ark. He wasn’t the captain. Think about it: this giant wood box was tossed around in the ocean and stayed afloat for about a year. It lands on a mountain. A mountain! What does he do? He is inside taking care of what he can take care of. The hand of providence guides, directs, and steers. What a comfort to us as pastors it is to know that the church that has Christ in the stern will never topside. He is a skilled mariner and can bring all of us safely to port.

God didn’t need Noah but he used him. He was dispensable. This is good and freeing news, especially for those in the ministry. God uses us but he doesn’t need us. Work hard, pray hard, lead, and rest well. God gifts his church in a variety of ways. He has it all covered with a bunch of dispensable parts.

Realizing (and truly believing) that you are dispensable a liberating, humbling, and refreshing provocation to praise.

I should take a vacation more often.

(photo via Shutterstock)

LOAD MORE
Loading