He was one of the rising stars in the ministry at that time. Most young people looked up to him for encouragement and mentorship. One day, he had a sharp disagreement with the pastor of the Church. He left in anger, never to return again. Several years later, the Church is waxing stronger. Nobody felt his absence.
Friend, you need to know that you are not indispensable as far as God’s program on the earth is concerned. To think that God cannot do without you is to be under the spell of self deception, pride or sheer ignorance. God cannot be boxed. He has alternatives for each and everyone of us. When you understand this, it would help you to take your enlistment in God’s work as a privilege, not a right (1 Timothy 1:12).
“…hold fast what you have, that no man take your crown” (Revelation 3:11). No placement in God is automatically permanent, you need to fight to retain your place in His agenda. While it is true that you have a part in God’s program, God would be left with no other choice than to find a replacement for you if need be. Judas’ place was given to another because he was careless (Acts 1:16-20).
The fact that everything seems to revolve around you at a season must not make you think that everything would come to an abrupt end when you decide to leave. This was the deception of the devil. He wielded so much influence and contributed so much in Heaven that he thought he was indispensable (Ezekiel 28:14-15, Isaiah 14:12-15). But to his surprise, his exit from Heaven did not stop the activities in Heaven.
Don’t be a victim of the “Elijah’s syndrome”. No matter where you find yourself, no matter what is committed into your hands at work, home or Church, handle your life and the responsibility with a sense of awe. Always remind yourself that you are not indispensable. God had 7,000 people in reserve while Elijah thought he was alone. He was too preoccupied with himself to see them (1 Kings 19:14-18).
When you are messing up, your replacement is already warming up. While Saul was on the throne wasting the trust of Heaven, there was a David preparing to take his place (1 Samuel 16:1). Most times, your replacement would not be far from you; it would be your neighbour. Your replacement would also be better than you (1 Samuel 15:28). Live your life in such a way that your replacement would forever wait in vain. Amen.
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria