You walk into your office and sit down at your desk. Sliding into your chair you tilt back just as you always do and just as you are turning the chair into position you hear a loud crack. Something breaks, and the chair falls back causing you to tip right over. The next thing you know you are picking yourself and your chair up off the floor. You get up wondering what just happened. This had been your favorite chair, so comfortable, and it had the look you love. As far as you are concerned that comfy chair is irreplaceable and you are at a loss as to what to do. In the meantime, you grab another chair and vow to buy a new one, but days and then weeks go by and maybe you just never do; accepting whatever is nearby.

Has something similar ever happened to you? We can get really comfortable with what's normal and everyday, but when it changes we often just adapt or choose something less suitable. People in general don't like to add stress to their lives. They tend to ignore, or just accept what happens around them after a while, rather than worry about it or try to make it better.

We are creatures of habit and if something feels right, it seems like it's okay to do it. We are reluctant to leave what we're used to behind. I was very much like this. I liked what I liked and I did not want to have or do anything aside from that. It didn't matter how it looked to anyone else, it worked for me. Until one day when I realized, it really wasn't working for me.

When God called me, I wanted to follow him, but I didn't want to let go of what I was used to. I had fallen into a comfort zone, just like sitting in that comfy office chair. I felt that many of the things I did in my life were irreplaceable. How could I go on without them. God asks us to give up some things when we follow him. Even Christ's apostles were told to drop everything and follow Him. (Matthew 4:18-20 & John 17:23)

Putting away sin

When we learn that what we love is something we shouldn't, we are reluctant to lose it. Sin comes in many forms and it can be difficult to put away. In fact, we are told we are all sinners. That means that without the sacrifice of Christ's death, none of us could even qualify to be called His people. Even though He died for us, we must obey Him. (Hebrews 5:9)

Let go of that old broken down part of your life and move on.

Sometimes we think we are doing right even when we are straying. We often make a replica of what we have lost. Maybe we quit swearing, but pick up euphemisms. Maybe we give up bad lying and only tell “white lies.” Any way you look at it, we are still making excuses to try to replace the irreplaceable. We need to understand that nothing in our lives is irreplaceable. God owns it all, including us. If God wants change, He can make it happen, but He would rather we choose it for ourselves.

We like what is familiar and what has always worked for us in the past. Unfortunately, it is an ever changing world and like it or not we must make right changes in our life and remaining diligent is not compromising. That means not necessarily following the trends around us, or making things “acceptable.” Each of us is supposed to be working to become a more functional Christian! Not a more comfortable, more stylish, or tolerant one.

Let's use the chair scenario as an example in our lives. The chair model—which is you—that was so loved has long been replaced by the most recent fad, materials, or color, so what can you do? You have to get something new—and improved. Likewise, the old you can change. You bury it and put in its place a new you who more closely follows God (Ephesians 4:24).

God carries the latest and greatest in inventory. What He has selected for you is so beautiful you cannot even comprehend it! It is unique and stands out among all others as clean and white. What most people like is the known, or an exact replica of what we are to replace. Give it up!

Let go of that old broken down part of your life and move on. Obviously you loved the chair, that's why you kept it so long, but it didn't serve you well. You were accustomed to the adjustments, the way the chair felt and how it moved within your space. Now it's time to move on. Then one day God will have the perfect seat for you in His Kingdom (John 14:2-3)

The inventory is not large, so now is the time to grab the opportunity. Replace the the old with what is truly irreplaceable, God's way.