Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Indispensable

Definition of dispensable - easy to discard, to set aside, or to do without

My translation - unimportant.

In the aftermath of the tornadoes that hit my community, I have seen the difference between what is dispensable and indispensable in a very tangible way.

Dispensable-IPods, computers, clothes, jewelry, cars, televisions, essentially many of the things we believe "we can not live without"

Indispensable-God's grace, precious lives, hugs from families and friends, community, love, compassion, the body of Christ

How quickly we can turn dispensable into indispensable, totally messing up how we view our lives and what is truly important. We help create a society where Biblical values are hard to see and identify. I desire to see clearly "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy." (Phillipians 4:7-8)

This storm also reminded me how small and important I can feel--how we all can feel very dispensable. What joy and comfort that we serve a God who finds us indispensable! We have worth and purpose because we have been "bought with a price" and find our identity in Christ.

As a mom, I want to pass on this view on self-worth, rather than the empty self-esteem that our world promotes. I am challenging myself and you to take inventory in your life? Where are you placing your treasure-the dispensable or the indispensable?

Kelly

12 comments:

Xandra@Heart-of-Service said...

I desire for my treasure to be indespensable always, but the flesh always seems to get in the way. But praise God, He always pulls me up short when I start putting too much emphasis on those dispensable things in my life.

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11"

Anonymous said...

The sinful fact is that it may take the gracious work of a tornado to make me feel the breadth of this truth you are writing about today. I know it is true, yet I am sitting here typing on a laptop I use every single day and listening to an iPod I plug into my ears every single day. Where are my children? When was the last good conversation I had with my mother? Have I taken the time to connect with my good friend H this week? It's a good thing God remembers I'm just dust. He is so merciful and gracious to this sinner. I don't deserve Him or His goodness.

Thanks for writing this today, Kelly.

Natalie said...

Sometimes it's hard for me to throw away things. It is important for us to truly distinguish between dispensable and indispensable. My mind often gets clouded on things of real value. Thank you for that reminder!

Wendy said...

Thanks for sharing this today, Kelly! Such good things to think about.

Mocha with Linda said...

Wow. Very very good thoughts. So easy to get wrapped up in what really doesn't matter.

Denise C said...

Very very wise words my friend! Thank you for the reminder!!
I have been lifting in prayer, all those affected by those horrific tornadoes. Bless their sweet hearts!

Take care!

Kim said...

Great post! Hard truths! This is a constant battle and Leslie is right. It all too often requires a great loss before we can see what matters. I love that verse in Hebrews! (above)

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

I often ask myself, "why does it take a tragic event to get people to focus on things that truly matter, me included?"

I am working through Tedd Tripp's book, Shepherding a Child's Heart and I just finished the chapter on Evaluating our Goals. It really made me think about what I focus on and what I am communicatiing to my children.

This post is again causing me to ask the same question.

Great post Kelly!

Melissa said...

Ditto to what everyone else said. I've been on a journey to focus on the important. When my hubby went to Mississippi last month, he too received a wake up call. I've been hoarding things in my attic, and people are going without!

I'm sorry I did my cleaning out before the tornadoes hit...I wish I could've donated some of the things I cleared out.

Kimberly said...

There is always something to take away our focus from what really matters. I have to be so careful. I will get convicted about one area of my life where I am wasting precious time and energy that needs to go to my family, and next thing you know, something else has popped up in its place. I really need to keep my life and what I place true value in before the Lord in prayer.
Thanks for today!

Anonymous said...

Kelly, you hit the nail on the head. Life is more than what we can plug in; it's Who we plug into.

Lisa Spence said...

May I fix my eyes on things unseen, things eternal, kingdom things, and forgo the fleeting and the temporal! Wise words here, Kelly!