"Just'in.."

I know little about a lot; and I might know a lot about a little...however,  I do know when God places something on my heart, it's very hard to shake.  There is something about a play on words that gets my mind moving.  One topic I seem to know a lot about knowing a little is, my own heart.  JUST when I think I know something about myself, an inJUSTice happens to me or around me.   So the spark that ignited the flame was a simple word we JUST toss around.

Please, JUST hang with me on a tour  that winds around my head and through my heart on a journey to adJUST your thinking and maybe my own in the process.

One of the things I know, is I rely heavily on google/Alexia/Siri to give me information about stuff I don't know.  Often, the use of the internet is  unsafe, but for ease and simplicity its my go to, that and, I unloaded my Webster's dictionary years ago. (Let's be honest...it was probably military folks who led to the extinction of the Encyclopedia Britannica and Websters--who really wants a few hundred extra pounds?!?!).  Life with an encyclopedia and dictionary and thesaurus all in the palm of our hand...and it talks to us, sign me up!

JUST: an adjective -

• based on or behaving to what is morally right and fair
• lawful
• righteous
• deserved

JUST: an adverb-

• exactly
• very recently
• only

Lets park here for a moment and unpack the multiple meanings of this simple, yet so misunderstood and misused word.

Something that cannot be argued is my own experience with this word "JUST."  I JUST have an intimate relationship with this word.  In my formative years, my dad taught me the meaning of JUST in his own words while spectating a (volleyball/basketball/football) game.  His description of the word was much more colorful than Webster's definitions.  I remember his chants using words derived from JUST; his favorite was JUSTice.  He'd often remind the referee and other coaches/players/spectators about JUST making a call or when they didn't make a call he wanted JUSTice.

My mom on the other hand, has taught me about the adverb version of JUST.  I learned about how  she JUST needed a moment, can you JUST come here, JUST in the nick of time.  My mom is notorious for "JUST going to's."  My dad has coined the term and a new nickname for my mom "JUST-ING (pronounced JUSTine)."  This "JUSTing" is a verb, if you will...she is always "JUSTing."

Ive taken on my own variation of these definitions and warped it into my own version of JUST (right, good, only).  I've even had friends define me as a JUSTice seeker (not sure if its a compliment or a memo to take it down a notch).

I only mention these definitions to frame the picture in my mind.  Such a simple word with so much meaning.  Verbs are easy to describe and see, nouns are simply to define, but this word deserves a class of its own.  In a world where we all JUST want to be understood and heard I want to JUSTify why this particular word is so weighty. Knowing the definition of the word doesn't give me anymore substance to chew on, it JUST leaves me more confused and frustrated when my version of the definition doesn't line up.

We live in an unJUST world, we constantly have to readJUST our thinking, we want JUSTification on how or why or when things will get better or be made right-JUSTice.  I want all these things so badly, each of us in our own right have sparks igniting and fans fanning flames of inJUSTices in our lives.

I think the key in all I know lies in how I act when these inJUSTices happen to me, against me, and among me.  I can promise you Im no expert, arguably the opposite.  I want so badly to be heard and be JUSTified in my thinking and acting to seek JUSTice.

God is working on me to show me and teach me HIS version of JUST and right and to date I’m not sitting so great in the rankings!  I believe there is a fine balance of faith and justice and I’ve been tipping heavier on the scale of seeking my own form of JUSTice rather than having faith that God is true to his word and His JUSTice will prevail. I’ve learned  I’m learning that first I must seek the Lord and ask how He wants to use me in order to show Gods love and mercy.  In order to know Gods JUSTice I have to know God’s love and his mercy, for me, but most importantly, for others.  God first loved us, the Bible doesn’t say, God first was JUST.  Praise the Lord his love came above all else.  If I follow the Lords command to Love Him and love others, my quest for JUSTice will be driven out of love, not anger and hate.

I pray that as you seek your own JUSTice, you’ll first seek Him.


Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,
    and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
    blessed are all those who wait for him. 

Isaiah 30:18