Philemon - Pt 6

I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel. (Philemon 1:12-13 ESV). This year I celebrated my 65th birthday. That has caused me to reflect on some of the contributions I have been a part of in my life. I suppose it is natural to wonder if I have made a difference for being here. I had a friend who told me about his boss that, when he did something he perceived as wrong, would call him in, have him to stick his hand in a bucket of water, and then tell him to take it out. He would then ask him if he could tell a real difference in the level of the water. The point was that everyone is replaceable. He was also much more patient than I would have been. It would have taken one experience like that and I would have let the boss figure out how replaceable I really was! However, it was an accurate reflection of the world’s view of people. At least in the world's eyes everyone is replaceable. In God's Kingdom, everyone has a place. No one is replaceable. No one can fill the place of any Christian. If a Christian doesn't do his or her work, God's plan will not change, but He will have to use take different route than the one He had planned, which included that Christian. We are unique. One thing you can know for sure, no one can be you quite like you can be. When our boys were little we would often tell them how unique they were. I love being able to watch my grandchildren grow. The pictures we get each week are so vivid in describing their different personalities. They do look very much like one another. There is an obvious bond between them since they are twins. However, they are unique and irreplaceable. When they were not yet born and there was so much doubt whether they could be, one individual told me that we were “lucky” that there were two. If one didn’t make it, maybe the other would. How ludicrous that was! Both are essential in God’s plan. Neither is dispensable! The point is that God planned you special and He didn't make any mistakes. He made you just the way He wanted you. And, at the same time God was planning who you would be, He was planning what you would be, and how He was going to get you there. So, the next time you are feeling replaceable, thinking you don't belong, that no one needs or wants you, remember that God does. He has something special planned that only you can do!