Anita Ojeda 
Work and Junk for Jesus
I work at a mission school—in the United States. Three-fourths of our budget comes from generous donors who believe in what we do to bring hope and healing to Native American young people.
Occasionally, though, we have to deal with Junk for Jesus. A friend of mine who worked at a hospital in Haiti for two years shared the term with me a few years ago as we compared mission stories.
“When we arrived, they promised us a small apartment, but someone had filled it with junk for Jesus and we’ve been living in a dorm room our entire stay.”
“Junk for Jesus?” I asked. “I’ve never heard of it!”
“You know,” she replied, Band Aids that won’t stick any more, naked dolls with no eyes, and clothes with so many holes they won’t even work as rags.”
“Ah,” I replied. “We have lots of Junk for Jesus at our school, too. Broken bicycles, granny dresses from the 40s, books with missing pages, and several tons of discarded textbooks.”
Somewhere along the way, Christians have come up with the idea that instead of bringing our junk to Jesus for healing, he wants us to give him our junk so we don’t have to pay to leave it at the dump.
Jesus wants us to work for him with a cheerful heart—and to give from our abundance, not our trash barrel. Click To TweetPeople in Glass Castles Shouldn’t Throw Stones
I rail at the waste in postage or manpower that delivering junk for Jesus to missions entails. But I often offer Jesus my junk job instead of my honest work.
The church wants me to teach a children’s class? I won’t commit because I already work with kids. “That’s like asking the doctor to give a free clinic after church,” I grumble. I begrudgingly agree, but don’t put my heart into it because I think I don’t have time.
When the yearly nominating committee convenes, I make sure I know the members so I can avoid their phone calls. They can’t ask me if I don’t answer. Guilt nips at my ankles, and I can only fend it off by dropping to my knees.
Colossians 3:23-25 convicts me that I should do all of my work—whether for the school, my family, or the church—for God’s glory. When I give, I need to give from the abundance of my heart, not the trash barrel of my bad attitude.
Nominating Committee, I’ve got your number, and this time, I’ll make the call!
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Very convicting post, Anita! I think we’ve all been there! Thanks so much for sharing with honesty. 🙂
Thanks, Kate! I lovet he new profile photo :).
Anita recently posted…Fall into the Pages of these September New Releases!
good reminder ma’am, a good reminder.
annette @ A net in Time recently posted…The Poetry of Work
Thanks for stopping by, Annette!
Anita recently posted…Why I Failed to Raise my Kids
Laughing hurts…a lot…but laughing about Junk for Jesus was worth it.
I’m sorry it hurts to laugh–but laughter is supposed to be good medicine ;)!
Anita recently posted…Fall into the Pages of these September New Releases!
Thank you Anita. I appreciate your honest story. I struggle with balance and often have to remind myself God wants me to minister to my family as well as those who read my blog or those whom I meet while speaking.
Have a blessed Friday, Julie
Julie Dibble recently posted…Missing His Work: A Poem
Isn’t that the truth! We should always mnister to our families first!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Easy Sweet Potato Quesadillas Smothered in Tomatillo Sauce
Junk for Jesus. What a gentle way to remind us to bring our best to Jesus!
Janyre Tromp recently posted…Work: A Short Story
Thank you for stopping by, Janyre!
Anita recently posted…From Marathon to Puny in Three Months
The “pinning” worked. You WORKed and fixed it. xoxo And that grandbaby boy is WALKING. How did that happen so fast?
;). I’m glad it’s behaving now! I know?! They grow up way too fast!
Anita recently posted…Fall into the Pages of these September New Releases!
Love this. Nominating committees always get the hard job because many, I believe, are like you. I’ll bet they love you calling them instead of them calling you. I’m in the 33 spot this week!
I’ve been on a few nominating committees…not fun! I love it when churches do interest inventories instead of just having someone say, “Oh, so-and-so could do that!”
Anita recently posted…From Marathon to Puny in Three Months
A loving kick in the pants. Junk for Jesus almost sounds like a legit ministry……… uh-oh. Thanks for this! I’m holding steady in the #37 spot.
Haha! I’ll have to think about that as a legit ministry ;).
Anita recently posted…Who do You Work For?
Yes — we are probably all guilty of junk for Jesus. Thank you for the reminder.
Thanks for stopping by, Paula!
Anita recently posted…If Only God Would Speak
I think we have all been guilty a time or two 🙂 But may we be willing to give our best, our abundance. He truly is worthy. Thanks for the reminder!
Joanne Viola recently posted…Expect the Unexpected
For several years I kept a sign by my desk at school with the scripture about doing everything as unto the Lord. Thanks for the gentle reminder that maybe I should put it by new desk.
Thanks for sharing.
I too was convicted that “junk for Jesus” can come in many ugly versions. 🙁
May we all give our treasures for Jesus.
Blessings,
Karen DelTatto recently posted…A Summer of Sunsets
Love this idea of Junk for Jesus. I’ve been there too many times!
Julie recently posted…The Best Ways to Avoid Blogger Burnout
“Junk for Jesus” is a great reminder for not only how we give of possessions (which I get on my soapbox about) but also what I give of my heart.
Stephanie Thompson recently posted…Why I Feel Like I am Sharing in the Israelites’ Journey