ESSENTIAL
SCRIPTURE:
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
—1 Timothy 4:4-5—
THOUGHT:
As we are starting to “re-open”, slowly but surely, we are also learning new meanings to words that we thought were already part of our vernacular. ESSENTIAL and NON-ESSENTIAL. What? Have we come to a point in our society that we are rating a person and their livelihood? Sure, I completely understand the real reason behind the definitions in this time of the COVID 19 pandemic. Essential of course, means those jobs that must be done, no matter what – like health workers, grocery stores, trash pick up, etc. Non-essential are those jobs that we can live without for a short time, like, hair salons, movie theaters, etc.
Yet, it seemed to hit a chord in my heart about what is “essential” and/or NOT. And who are we to label someone or their career as essential or non-essential? What gives us the right or even the notion to think that we can slap a moniker on someone’s life?
I believe it goes back to the etymology of “essential”. From both Greek and Latin, it comes from “essential” or “BEING“. So, the essence of a person is his “being”. Logically then, his/her work or job that is considered “essential” is part of the persons’ essence or “being”. Now, some jobs have more obvious essence than others, or at least in the hierarchy of societal grading. Like recently, we have discovered a new found respect for health workers of all kinds. Or, to meet our spiritual needs, the leaders of our churches. Or, when we’re hungry, the persons that drive the trucks, or put the food on the shelves, or the farmers that toil in the heat to bring us the food we crave. So, whenever there is a “need”, there is a person and their work, whose essence fills that need, in many capacities.
Still, digging a little deeper, it seems to me that ALL jobs are essential. My reasoning? Each of us is essential to God. I remember a meme one time, that depicted a child who was physically and mentally challenged enjoying a ice cream cone – it said “God don’t make no junk!” No truer words were ever spoken. All of us are the “essence” of God. We are part of His Being. So, whoever we are, wherever we are, and whatever we do, we are who God made us “to be”, to be of His Essence. When someone works, and puts their all into their work, whatever that is, and uses the money to support their family or to help others – then they are essential. In addition, I can promise you that all jobs are essential because it depends on the need. If someone is hot and sweaty, a lifeguard at a neighborhood pool is essential. If someone is trying to look their best for a job interview, a hair stylist is essential. If someone is a single mother, a daycare worker is essential. If someone is a nature lover, a parks and recreation worker is essential. Conversely, if we love what we are doing, even if there is little or no obvious need, then we are essential. When we thrive on what we do, then our “being” is fed and encouraged. I wonder if painters and writers and musicians, who are never famous, or never really fill a “need” of the populace, only feel alive or essential when they are crafting their art? Of course they would love to receive accolades for their work but they still feel no less fulfilled whether their art is in a museum or in their own living room. The art itself is a part of their essence. It speaks to them of the talent that God has decreed upon them. I venture to say that, in fact, their essence is part of God, and makes the world a better place just by its creation. I wonder if God enjoys the fruit of His Labors by seeing what we do or create in our jobs? Does He smile when he sees a graduate throwing their caps in the air, prophetically knowing that she will go on to write an intriguing news story that will help to get funding for underprivileged children? I wonder if God laughs when a clown performs at a circus, bringing absolute joy to someone who had previously been lonely and depressed? I wonder if God feels touched when an out-of-work drug addict walks into a church, bedraggled and smelly, and is welcomed by a retired counselor with a hug and a touch? I wonder if God cries with absolute happiness when that same drug addict, goes straight, with the help of that counselor, and then gets a “non-essential” job at Salvation Army. Hmmmm……
So, whoever you are, wherever you are, and most importantly, whatever you do, please know that God thinks you are ESSENTIAL. He created you, He watches you, He loves you, and He enjoys your contribution to the world – whatever that happens “TO BE”. You are of His Essence here on this earth, “being” who He wants you to be, and helping to build His Kingdom.
PRAYER:
Creator Father, we come to you as your servants. We humbly ask you, are we carrying on what You need done for your Kingdom? Help us to live and breathe Your Work. Help us to make “what we do” an homage to You. Help us to dig down deep and do our best in all that we do, reflective of what You want for us and want for Your People. Help our work to do good for others to the best of our ability. And keep us ever mindful that what we do is a continuation of what You created us to do. Help our essence to be a part of Yours.
AMEN.
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