YOU CAN BE REPLACED

I value the team effort that exists in our society today, whether in the structure of leadership for a company, or the joint effort of insightful people in other business enterprises.  Team work is seen in sports, in education, and in community participation to accomplish a proposed purpose.

While there are certain individuals with unique abilities who do extraordinary things, the majority of us possess what we call average skills –skills that make us invaluable team participants in like manner of those with astonishing ability.

Diversity of skills certainly adds dimension to successfully fulfilling objectives.  We see that over and over again in the church, and we also see it evidenced in our skilled team of mission representatives.

While one rep may excel at passionate preaching to engage the church in the task of reaching lost people, another rep may be gifted with purposeful persuasion for others to join rank in declaring Christ to the nations.  Perhaps another may persuade teens to look at the pursuit of life and the potential impact they could have in serving Christ, while another rep may provide insights to help believers make the best use of resources in providing funds for the task.

Yes, our gifts and abilities differ about as much as the outcome of our labors.  But each of us are contributing to the overall purpose to see God raise up the next generation of missionaries to complete the work Jesus gave us to do.

None of us are indispensable… we can be replaced.  That’s something I think about a lot.

When you consider the missionary workforce among Ethnos360 we are more than 3,000 strong.  Some are just beginning their career in missions and some are near to completing the journey.  But who will step to the plate in replacing those who age and move on in life?  Who will be the next carrier of the gospel to yet another unreached people group?

It’s interesting to think about that.  –For example, I am now ‘standing in the shoes’ of the very one God used to motivate us in missions.  That brother has gone on to be with the Lord.  –At times I feel the task is overwhelming; do I measure up to finishing my work as that dear brother did?  But then I come to the realization that it has nothing to do with measuring up, and all to do with serving according to the measure of Christ given unto me.  I function within the equipping and giftedness God has allowed me to possess, and trust I do it all to the glory of God.

Who is going to replace me when I’m gone?  I really don’t worry about that because if God is able to raise up among stones those who can glorify Him, then I certainly believe He is able to raise up those whom He desires to use as His witnesses to lost people.