“One thing I have desired of the Lord. That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock!” Psalm 27:4-5
Recently, I had to get my appendix removed. This is a body part that is not essential and once infected must and can be easily removed. Lying in the hospital, I became keenly aware of all the essentials in my life… my faith, family and fellowship (which ultimately includes food). Essential has been a buzz word during this pandemic…essential workers, buying essentials, storing up essentials, leaving essential businesses open, and providing essential services. In any crisis or pandemic, true essentials should be valued, supplied and create connection.
Value
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”(Matthew 6:21) It has been interesting to analyze now what I try to keep in my pantry, that I didn’t necessarily value much before this pandemic. Keeping the pantry well stocked and my family fed is an essential priority. Yet, once it is well stocked, I forget how essential it really is. Just like I paid no attention to the continual pains I was having in my abdominal area. This pandemic has made me realize even more all the essentials in my life and to value them. It has also shown me the realities of what is nonessential.
Supply
This pandemic has created a disruption in the supply and services I have come to see as essential. Education has come to the forefront in our household. Now that all my kids will be in full-time remote learning, I have become the administrator of our little home school. Hopefully, I can leave a majority of the teaching to the professionals. What has been troubling in this dialogue of essential workers or services, is that education has been utilized as a political volleyball and not valued as an essential service. I am frustrated that my own children will not be getting a quality education, but my heart is broken for those kids who will struggle without one at all. Education is essential in my book, not an appendix.
Connection
As the pandemic has created a greater connection with what is essential, I have painfully seen the disconnection in our society. Our society has become further disconnected to the essentials all the while trying to tell me what is essential. I am realizing how much I need in-person connection. This medium of online interaction can never replace the hug, handshake, and fellowship we all need. Fellowship keeps us connected, accountable and motivated to grow. Family is one of the most essential elements in our lives. After God created the world, He created family. He asked for us to be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth. Family values and support of the family is essential. Faith cannot be disconnected from our homes and our society. Without faith the freedoms we are striving for will become irrelevant and unessential. Faith cannot be an appendix, it has to be essential to how I live, move and breath. No mask is needed to connect with God. Make Him essential in your everyday life.
Essentials
Value. Supply. Connection.
What essentials in your home do you value? How have they been disrupted? How can you reconnect with God?