"Junk"

 

“Junk”

 

One of the strategies entrepreneurs use to establish and grow their businesses is coming up with clever names which stay in the minds of potential clients. Some I’ve run into over the years include “Student Window Cleaners—for Smart Service”, “College Hunks Movers”, “Starving Artists Movers”, “Buzzy Bees Honey Farm”, “Kitten Cuddles Cat Buffet”, “Curly Q Hair Salon” and “Little Giggles Gymnastics”. But one which is among the most familiar is “1-800-Got Junk”. This was the brainchild of Brian Scudamore, a Vancouver, British Columbia college student, in 1989 (it was originally known as “The Rubbish Boys” but adopted its present name in 1998). It now has about 300 locations in the U.S., Canada and Australia. The service specializes in removing unwanted items and disposing of them through recycling, donations and when necessary in landfills.

Junk is a term used to describe something of questionable value. We’ve all received junk mail (unsolicited communications seeking to separate us from our money in some way), eaten junk food (edibles having little nutritional benefit), heard about junk bonds (offering high returns but carrying high risk) and seen junk cars in various places. So it’s almost always used in a negative way. But in Popular Tales of the West Highlands (an 1860’s publication) Hector Urquhart penned, “One man’s rubbish may be another man’s treasure!” So some things may outlie their usefulness to us but can still be used by others. Think of “thrift stores” operated by The Salvation Army and other agencies serving those in need.

The late singer and actress Ethel Waters is credited with the observation “God don’t make no junk!” This down home bit of wisdom reflects biblical truth. At the conclusion of His six days of creation Genesis 1:31 says, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” King David recognized his uniqueness and value when he wrote (and maybe sang), “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful….” (Psalm 139:14). And our Lord’s brother penned, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father….” (James 1:17). And He proved we’re not “junk” when He told all people, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). (Emphasis added throughout.) So Jesus didn’t die for “junk”—He died for all humans because of their/our/my value to Him (“…Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”—I John 3:16). Therefore let’s see ourselves as He sees us—not as “junk” but as treasures in His sight.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan