Essential Worker or Not?
I feel like Kermit – half way up the stairs or half way down, it all depends on which way you look at it. That is, if we are actually half way there! It was about 2 weeks ago we learned about the lockdown and we also learned about a new classification of people. We are used to classifying people into various categories, gender, religion, age bands, country of origin, race etc. Some of our classifications are black and white, kind of like you are for this or against that, some classifications allow for a bit more grey. However, 2 weeks ago we suddenly became people who are either ‘essential’ or ‘non-essential’.
This drives at our sense of who we are. Am I essential or non-essential? Am I useful or useless? I heard it said that a number of people who have found themselves as non-essential workers are feeling a bit shaky and not sure what to do. I’m guessing it is like the worker who has invested their life into their work and then they retire or are made redundant and suddenly the world is less stable for them.
In reality, this new definition of people as essential or not is made up by our current government. If we were facing another type of challenge would we have a different definition for who is essential or not? We can be grateful that God doesn’t see some of us as essential while others as non essential that is we are all important to Him. In Luke 12:7 we read, ‘Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.’ Don’t be afraid, God knows you so well that he numbers the hairs on your head! The context of this verse that we find so encouraging is that while a crowd of many thousands stomping over each other like in a mosh pit eager to hear what Jesus has to say. Jesus turns to his disciples and warns them to ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.’ (v1) and goes on to state, ‘do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.’ (v4) Jesus says it is more important to fear the one who has authority over the dead (v5). This is essential.
In these current days of death and disease, who is essential and what is essential?
Do not be afraid you are valued by God, while we have a role to play in this relationship as well – we are to fear Him, honour Him and publicly acknowledge Him.
Do not be afraid, of those who can kill you or things that can kill you – you are valued by God, trust in Him.
Whether our work is essential or not is less important than how we relate to our Creator, our Lord and Saviour. Let us take time to dwell in His word, to hear His voice whether you are an essential worker or not.
You may want to re-read Luke 12:1-12 and meditate on that for some time.
And to our essential workers, particularly our health care workers we pray you will know God’s peace as you minister His peace to the people of this world regardless of the number of hairs on their heads.
Stay in peace. Warren
8th April 2020
Previous Blogs
The News... : Warren, 1st July 2020Shhh - Listen : Warren, 19th June 2020
Relief? : Warren, 11th June 2020
On the Cusp : Warren, 4th June 2020
In the Beginning... : Warren, 28th May 2020
Seasons : Warren, 21st May 2020
Aroha|Love : Warren, 14th May 2020
How is your mind? : Warren, 7th May 2020
On the Level : Warren, 1st May 2020
Signs : Warren, 24th April 2020
Whakaaria Mai : Warren, 15th April 2020
Essential Worker or Not? : Warren, 8th April 2020
Rumours : Warren, 1st April March 2020
What Would Jesus Do? : Warren, 25 March 2020