Becoming Irrelevant

Saturday, September 5th, 2009
The most painful thing I have ever witnessed in a man or woman of greatness is when they become irrelevant.  In the life of Uzziah we see such a man ( 2 Chron. 26). He was a man of passion, administrative ability, intelligence, and he had God's presence on his life. One day, in his success, his pride led his to a very poor decision - a decision to attempt to control the work of God. To move out of his calling and God given authority. This was manifested by his desire to burn incense on the altar of incense, and his total disrespect for the spiritual leaders who stood in his way. How different his attitudes toward spiritual leaders from his youth when Zechariah taught him the fear of God and he sought God. Spiritual leaders had not changed, he had! The penalty for his "unfaithfulness" (God's definition of his sin) was to contract leprosy and to live in isolation until his death. He was still king, but he was irrelevant. His son Jotham governed as administrator in his place.  He was sidelined, he was put on the bench, whatever metaphor you wish to use. The greatness was still inside him, but could no longer be expressed.

I do not believe we become irrelevant due to age, appearance, or even cultural changes. As long as we seek God, God will give us success. We only become irrelevant when, due to pride, we step out of our calling and authority. That is called being unfaithful.