February 2021 Mobile Monthly Mission

By Kat Silverglate, Founder Copyright 2021

Welcome to The Ridiculous Hour Foundation where we exist to inspire lives ridiculously responsive to the promptings of God. My name is Kat Silverglate and THIS is our February 2021 Mobile Monthly Mission: Whatever is Just. Here’s the Story

We generally associate the word “just” with words like fair, equitable, evenhanded, objective, unbiased, impartial. But there are other associations. Other contexts, aren’t there?

Like, “I’m just a… [fill in a role].”

We hear this sometimes in a room full of strangers asked to publically introduce themselves. One by one, they announce their name, hometown, what they do. And then, someone slips a minimizing phrase into their intro -- “I’m just a mom.” “I’m just a clerk.” “I’m just a student.” “I’m just…”

Or this one: “It’s just… [fill in a gift].”

You have a skill or a gift.  Let’s say, it’s the gift of administration. You can bring stunning order to the most chaotic project. You make Marie Kondo look like a novice. You see where your gift would really bless someone or add value, but you say to yourself – “It’s just organization. Anybody can do that. No big deal. They’ll find someone.”

Or this one: “I’m just… [fill in a burden].”

A group of friends share genuine concerns or prayer requests with one another. One of the friends clearly has something to share but doesn’t. Finally someone asks, “How ya doin’?”  He or she finally opens up, “I’m just overwhelmed with my new job, but it feels selfish to even mention it. Compared to his grief, and her cancer diagnosis, and their business losses, it feels silly. I’m good.”

Years ago I met a man who taught me volumes about my own “justs.” He was the leader of the Congregational Vitality Team in the district where our church was located.  As the District Superintendent of the pastors on the committee, he led them and lay leaders like me who served by appointment. The committee was akin to a spiritual EMT Unit -- when a church needed support, the group prayed, brainstormed, and gave assistance in appropriate ways.

 One of our meetings took place at a beautiful church that had a full kitchen and a banquet table long enough for our entire group.  Since we’d already placed our lunch “orders” by email, we expected to eat while conducting business. But well into our scheduled start time, no food had been served and the seat at the head of the table was empty. While I was new to the group, it did cross my mind that perhaps the leader wasn’t coming. He had been battling cancer after all. But nobody was asking questions, so I went on with the rest of the team chattering away while we waited.

And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Craig, the leader, emerge from the kitchen in an apron carrying several plates which he joyfully placed in front of team members before bopping back into the kitchen for more.  Turns out, they were short staffed that day and he had been in the back the whole time plating meals – for us.

In that moment, I wasn’t JUST a new member of the committee or JUST a lay representative, I was JUST blown away by the delightful inJUSTice of this man’s actions. He had the seat at the head of the table, yet he considered serving his team the ultimate joy. His “JUST” was in order. He had many talents, yet he considered the skill needed in that very moment the ultimate gift. His “JUST” was in order. He had many burdens in that season of life, yet he refused to keep them to himself.  He shared them gracefully with his team asking for prayer and support all along the way.  His “JUST” was so beautifully in order.

God was giving me a much needed adJUSTment in my understanding of that phrase in Philippians 4:8 which urges us to dwell on “whatever is just.” I wonder now what role can possibly be modified by “JUST” when the King of Glory came to serve and not be served?  What ability can possibly be reduced with a “JUST” when every ounce of talent we have comes from our maker? What burden can possibly be minimized with a “JUST” when God says bring your very life to me? 

Our mission this month has two parts:

Part 1 -- Abilities, Roles and Burdens:

Your mission pack contains several notepad pages with ridiculous stamps at the top. On one of those sheets, list your abilities. As many as you can fit. Be creative. Think about it from the most extreme vantage point – a man with no legs may list his ability to wheel himself anywhere he can find a ramp, or a person with low vision may write “I can still see shapes when I’m in the light!” It’s all about perspective, isn’t it? On another of those sheets, list your roles. Not only work roles. Culturally, we tend to go there first – don’t we? What about your role as a son, a sister, a friend, a team member, a neighbor, a community member, a coach? Finally, use the last sheet to list your burdens. None too small. None too large. Just list them as they come to mind.

Now, spend some time with God meditating on your lists. Do you minimize roles, gifts, or burdens? Are your “JUSTs” in order? Do you see them as valuable in God’s hands? How might you aJUST your posture toward these things?  How might you see them as valuable in God’s hands?

Part 2 – The Guest Check

The second part of our mission involves that Guest Check in your mission pack.  You know the kind you receive when you go to a restaurant and it’s time to pay the bill. The one that adds up all the items you ate and the cost of each item? Often we go to a restaurant or we’re served by: a joyless servant; a superior servant; a defensive servant; or, a bitter servant.  The experience leaves us with just a hint of shame or guilt or like we’ve been an imposition or like we’ve done something wrong.  Rather than minimize roles, gifts or burdens, this person tends to do the opposite -- to maximize them. The guy in our true story had the place at the head of the table, yet he considered serving others his joy. He made people at the table want to jump up and put on their own apron. Craig served with joy because he’s been rocked by God’s astounding JUSTice -- the kind that metes out mercy where it isn’t expected and can’t be earned.

Are you serving others from that place right now? Is there joy in you? Genuine joy? Or are you dry? Keep that check somewhere as a reminder that each human being that God prompts us to serve is His most welcome guest.  All are welcome at the Lord’s table. No charge. The check’s been paid. And that includes, well… you too!  If you happen to be in a season where you’re maximizing your “justs,” pull up a chair. Let Him fill you to overflowing. Be His guest. Christ came to serve our very deepest needs, starting with our need for total, unveiled satisfaction in God.

And if you are hearing this podcast and you don’t know exactly where to start with God.  Don’t you worry.  He started with you a long time ago.  And He will never stop pursuing you.  The question for each and every one of us is this, will we respond? 

That is the mission after all – inspiring lives ridiculously responsive to the promptings of God.

Amen.