Are you "Just" a ________?

Last Sunday morning at church during our “meet and greet" time, I met a young woman who had recently moved to TN from Las Vegas. When I asked her about her job, she replied, “Oh, I just talk on the phone all day long.” After a bit of general chitchat I asked exactly what it was that she did on the phone. Turns out, she worked in medical precertification. Her job is to approve medical testing for insured patients. She works at the same company as a friend of mine who is in management there and I am fairly certain that in saying she “just”, she was referring to her position in relation to that of my friend, but it sure got me thinking about the things that we “just” do in our lives.

Last fall I went thru a major back surgery that required X rays, an MRI and a (very painful) Discogram. The pre certification process went without a hitch. After I pondered this concept of “just”, my thoughts then turned to my friend, Billie Jo, who fell down a flight of stairs a year ago, needs the same surgery, and is still fighting with Workman's Comp to get her pre certifications completed. She has been in excruciating pain for months and is now faced with the prospect of permanent nerve damage…all because someone “just” couldn’t approve her procedure.

After the service, I spoke to the young woman again. I asked, “Don’t you understand? To the patient who needs medical treatment, YOU are the most important person that they will talk to today.” She seemed almost surprised to think that what she did was important. In her mind, she “just” talked on the phone all day.

How many times do we think that we are “just” a ______?

Consider the following:

You may think that you are “just” the receptionist…But you set the tone for the entire office. Your gifts keep it running smoothly.

You may think that you are “just” a mechanic…But your skills mean the difference between someone getting to work and providing for their family, or not.

You may think that you are “just” a waitress…But your service means the difference between a harried mom enjoying dinner with her family or hassling with cooking and dishes.

You may think that you are “just” a musician…But your gift has the ability to stir emotions or lead people into worship.

You may think that you are “just” a Customer Service Representative…But you solve the problem of the person on the other end of the line, allowing them to get back to their work and family.

You may think that you are “just” a Mom…But your influence is beyond measure.

And for my friends at Keller Williams Realty:

You may think that you are “just” a real estate agent…But you make the difference between someone having a home that they love, or just a house. You make the difference between a family that can sell their home and all be together in a new city, or Dad having to leave the family behind while he starts a new job.

You may think that you are “just” the Market Center Administrator…But to the agent who has a mortgage payment due tomorrow, you cut their checks quickly and make it possible for them to keep their home. To the investors in your company, you make the difference between profitability and loss…and the ability to care for their families.

You may think that you are “just” a Team Leader…But to the people in your world, you have the potential to change their businesses, their careers, and the lives of their family for generations to come. All of this whether they are already with Keller Williams, or you are picking up the phone to invite them to join you.

You may think that you are “just” a trainer or a coach…But the wisdom and you impart and the mindset that you ingrain have the potential to jump start the career of someone who needs a source of income for their family.

I challenge you to think about the following:

Who are you serving in your job?
What value do you bring to them?
How does what you do change the lives of people around you?

If we believe that God has a purpose and plan for our lives, then shouldn’t it also be reasonable to assume that He has a purpose for having us right where He wants us? If that is true, then how can we be “just” a _______? What we do always matters to SOMEONE.

Do YOU make a difference….or are you… “Just” ?