Fungible

Word of the day: fungible \FUN-juh-bul\ adjective

1 : being of such a nature that one part or quantity may be replaced by another equal part or quantity in the satisfaction of an obligation
*2 : interchangeable
3 : flexible

Example sentence:
Jessica believes her unique skill set makes her an indispensable member of the company rather than just one of many fungible employees.

When the word first popped up in my inbox this morning, I thought “fungible” would have to do with mushrooms (fungus). Shows how much I know about words.

The second thing that occurred to me was that I am fungible. My gifts and placement in life are as unique as yours, but God can—and will—still get his work done any time I become incapacitated or am unwilling to do the work for which he has designed me.

I’m not only talking about my full-time job. Fungibility extends to all my other roles: wife, mother, church member, musician, friend, advocate, mentor, student…

Sure, I know I’m irreplaceable as a unique person. But God does not depend on me—or on you—as his sole solution for his plans in our family, friendships, churches, or work. Even so, he has chosen to invite us our participation in what he is doing. Amazing grace indeed! What value he must place on us to offer us partnership with him.

My husband once appealed to me not to depend on him as though he were God, “I can’t be everything to you. Get some girlfriends!” What great advice. I both took him off a god-pedestal and found girlfriends who have mentored and shaped me the past fourteen years. Other mentors have come and gone, and I seriously consider their input along with my husband’s, ever since he refused to be god to me.

Over the year, my roles have changed from work-at-home mom of toddlers to employee with grown kids. As Mom, I see God using many people to do his work in my children. Even in that area, it is a relief to be fungible. Never mind all the other pots God dips my stir-stick into.

Read more:
*One day when Samson was in Timnah, one of the Philistine women caught his eye. When he returned home, he told his father and mother, "A young Philistine woman in Timnah caught my eye. I want to marry her. Get her for me."

His father and mother objected. "Isn't there even one woman in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry?" they asked. "Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?"

But Samson told his father, "Get her for me! She looks good to me."

His father and mother didn't realize the LORD was at work in this, creating an opportunity to work against the Philistines, who ruled over Israel at that time. Judges 14:1-4 NEV

* (Thanks, Tillie!)
Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?

He whose walk is blameless, and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from the heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man, but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. Psalm 15 NIV

*Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. John 3:6 NEV