What I Learned from My Job as a Professional Spit-Sucker

I worked as a dental assistant for three years. It was a great job with a fun group of professionals, but when I relay this part of my work history, I usually encounter a bit of confusion. It could be because of the fact that my degree is in English, and my primary job currently is a church music director. I accept that it might be difficult to understand how the dental world fit with my giftedness.

Listen, doubters, it may have taken me longer to learn the ropes than those schooled in actual teeth, but I sucked spit like it was no one’s business. It’s true. There were aspects of the job, though, that were a wee bit more demanding than mere spit sucking. During the first several weeks of training, I spent hours at night learning teeth numbers, memorizing set-ups for procedures, and reviewing all the protocols.

I worked hard. Some days I produced a mold of a patient’s teeth in one swift try, and if you can’t recall this part of dentistry, think pink goo in a metal tray which sits in your mouth for what feels like an eternity. Are we on the same page? The days I did those molds in one try, I felt like a million bucks. But then other days, these molds happened on the same patient two (or maybe six) times. “I’m training,” I’d explain apologetically as the gags started again for the second (or sixth) time.

It was hard, but it was rewarding, and I felt accomplished each time I reached a new milestone. I felt good about my work until I explained my new job to an acquaintance.

“What do you do?” she said.

“I work as a dental assistant,” I said.

“Oh. So, basically, you’re a glorified spit sucker,” she said.

“Your teeth are ugly,” I said.

Just kidding.

But that’s what I wanted to say. Her words made me feel incredibly insignificant, and I found myself becoming defensive. I wanted to explain all the reasons why my job was important; I wanted to tell her that if it really came down to it, if we were really being honest, I basically saved lives for a living. They’d choke without me. But I didn’t say that. Mostly because it wasn’t exactly true.

What was at the heart of my frustration was not her interpretation of my job, but it was the sense of unimportance that underlined her description of it. There were certainly times in this job, and in other work along the way, when I felt like I was treading the waters of insignificance, exhausted from my yearning for greatness.

Unfortunately, this is not a new problem in humanity. In Matthew 18, even the disciples struggle with the same sense of insecurity. They ask Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” One can imagine the debate going on externally as they discuss who might receive all the accolades. Might it be Simon the fisherman? He seems successful in his work. Certainly, it wasn’t Matthew who works for the Romans. Though, he is probably the wealthiest, so…

Who’s the greatest of us, God?

The World’s Definition of Greatness

It doesn’t take long to unmask the characteristics of worldly importance. Money, fame, and success are marks that gain attention and, at times, special treatment. And these attributes are not wrong in and of themselves. But what we’re led to believe is that we become great because of what we attain. You are great because you have a degree from an Ivy League school, or you are great because you have ample supply in your bank account. Because of the way the world proudly shakes hands with wealth and power, anything less begs us to believe we are simply insignificant. It’s easy in our culture to teeter insecurely doing whatever we can to climb the ladder of importance, feeling unsatisfied until we reach the top.

God’s Definition of Greatness is Vastly Different

In answer to the disciple’s question, Jesus immediately gathers a child, puts him in front of His followers, and says, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

The disciples are thinking in terms of qualifications, trying to “one up” each other. I can imagine it because I have seen it (and felt it): Tell us, Lord, what do we need to do to be the most important? But using the child, Jesus explains that the motivation behind their question is all wrong. A young child is a picture of dependence. They need their parents; they find security in their guardian’s arms, and they long to please mom and dad. Love received is a balm to any child but especially to those in the young, tender years. If you want to be great, Jesus points out, act like this child toward your Heavenly Father. Depend on Him alone, and with joy, receive and relish in His love.

What Does This Mean for Professional Spit Suckers?

OK, so we won’t all do this for a living, but my guess is that there are aspects of your work that are perfect entrances for the devil to enter in and whisper, “You don’t matter.” So, fight his temptation with the words from Scripture. Jesus has called you by NAME, and you are HIS (Isaiah 43:1). You are complete IN HIM (Colossians 2:9-10). Because of this, the beautiful reality is that you don’t need to obtain anything in this world in order to be great.

And weed out the lies that cause bitterness when fulfilling tasks that feel menial. Whether it’s making copies, setting up chairs, cleaning the house, or filing paperwork, your work is significant because you are significant. God has given you the ability to fulfill your calling, and He does not set the standard at success but at faithfulness. Work to the best of your ability, no matter what the job, knowing that one day we will receive the greatest reward from the very hands of our Savior. “Be faithful unto death,” He reminds His beloved, “and I will give you the crown of life.”

Who is the greatest among you? The answer is not found in looking at resumes or positions but at your own heart. Because of His work on the cross, greatness comes only from our Savior. Those who are great are those who humble themselves before their Creator and believe in this gospel of grace. In the vast multitude of believers across nations, tribes, and tongues, you are no greater and no less than any one of your brothers and sisters in Christ. Because we have the righteousness of Jesus, we are significant.

(Professional spit suckers included).