No Such Thing As JUST

How often have you found yourself using the word, “Just?” 

I’m just a mother.

This is just another job.

I am just serving in this ministry.

I can just give a few dollars. 

When we use the word just in this manner it means the following, as defined by the Merriam- Webster dictionary- Only or Simply. 

It’s an undervaluing or depreciation of the role we’ve been placed in or the thing we’ve been called to do. 

It’s our way of saying that we don’t see the importance or significance of that thing, or at least as compared to something else. 

For me, this comparison has been in the area of motherhood. I’ve uttered, “I’m just a mother,” as though motherhood isn’t an important calling. As though my professional and career work held more significance. 

Here’s the thing- If God has called you to it, it is valuable, meaningful, and significant, more so than anything else you could ever do.

Think of the woman who gave her last coins in Mark 12. 

(vs 41) Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. (vs 42) But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. (vs 43) Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. (vs 44) They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Though this woman only had something small in monetary value to offer, because she was called to give and gave her all, what she gave was of more value to God than the larger monetary gifts of the rich people. 

It’s not about the size of the calling. 

Whether you’re called to pastor a large ministry, speak on stages to thousands, reach hundreds of people on a social media platform, serve a community in your neighborhood, or pour into your family of five- what you do has value to God. 

You’re reaching people, influencing people, and setting an example for people who would be missed if you weren’t positioned exactly where God has you. 

At one point I was called to my career, and that work was meaningful.

Now I am called to my family, and that work is just as meaningful because it is ordained by God. 

When it comes to Kingdom callings, there is no such thing as Just. 

If we are called to a space and we are working heartily as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23), then we are exactly where we are supposed to be doing exactly what we are supposed to do and nothing should matter more than that.