I was sitting in a tent in the heart of the Andes recently, thinking about a comment that had come up earlier in the day regarding being "just" a teacher. Although the student who made the comment did not mean for it to be interpreted in a negative connotation, the comment needed some additional context to avert that perception. However, the discussion that followed it brought up an excellent point: how often do we use the word "just" to qualify something that we perceive to have minimal impact or value within a culture, system, or perhaps simply our own life?
By definition, "just" when used as an adverb denotes precision, time frame, directness in proximity, possibility, simplicity, etc. However, this small word has taken on a depth of unspoken meaning within our culture in relation to the value of the action or person, place, or thing being described. It is not a simple descriptor, but rather a complex indicator of value. It is in this-as my brother would say-simply complex context that God has been working on my heart and showing me that I needed to adjust my attitude in this matter.
My tendency has been to view some of the things I do as "just" volunteering, "just" making a flier, "just" playing the music, or "just" coordinating an event. Oftentimes that qualification comes from doing a task multiple times, so it is nothing extraordinary to me. Have you been there too? Those repetitive tasks of our jobs that are natural to us, perhaps even our strengths that we realize we are gifted at but don't seem out of the ordinary for us to do, that have become "just" another thing for us to do, and perhaps we even truly enjoy doing them? Yet this qualifier seems to come out of our mouths when describing one of those tasks to someone else. Well, at least it has mine...and God has been pressing upon my heart the need to stop this simple use of a word that has such a complex connotation behind its use within our society.
You see, God has instructed us that, "whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17). There is no "just" qualifier for living a surrendered life for Christ. Any perception otherwise - that tasks or opportunities that He has blessed us with are not comparatively valued is quite simply a plot of deceit from Satan. God is constant, never changing in His love for us and His perfect design and purpose for each of our lives through every task - small or large - that gives us the opportunity to glorify Him. James 1:16-18 reminds us, "Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created."
There's so much more to say about His design and purpose for each of us, and how we can each live intentionally and strategically to do what we do well for the advancement of the Kingdom. For now, though, let's agree to take this simply complex word and bring back its true meaning, ridding our vocabulary of its cultural context of minimizing value and restoring it to the "almost" and "precise" adverb that it is. Thankfully, in its appropriate form, a beautiful hymn was penned...and with it I'll end this lesson He's been teaching me and get back to a job that love and have been blessed with...
1. Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
2. Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
3. Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
6. Just as I am, thy love unknown
hath broken every barrier down;
now, to be thine, yea thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
