Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on September 18, 2020. Her death, while met with memorials and sadness by many, primarily has created a firestorm over who will replace her. Given the election year timing of her death, political sides quickly divided on when and who should appoint the next Supreme Court justice. While I am praying and hoping for a conservative justice who will help defend the Constitution and enable the protection of life within our nation, there is an important lesson we should all observe for our own lives from this controversy.
While some have been offended that we so easily move to fighting over the replacement before even pausing to properly eulogize and sympathize, this is the nature of life! We are all replaceable at work! Someone will be doing your job after you leave it.
We are only truly irreplaceable in our role with our families. No one can replace my role as husband and father. I am the only husband to Amanda and the only father to my four kids. Those roles are irreplaceable. Someone might object and say even those can be replaceable with a new husband or a step-father, but they can’t replace the role God intended for me and me only to play (Eph. 5:22-6:4).
Yet, consider where we put most of our energy and efforts. We can take our identity and self-worth from our replaceable roles. While we should work hard in our employment (Col. 3:23-24), we should always prioritize our role with our family. Don’t cheat your spouse and kids of the time, care, honor, and love they deserve for a position where they will replace you soon after you are gone! Your spouse and kids may be the priority in your mind, but do they feel like they are your priority in their hearts?
