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You Matter

by David Moore on May 05, 2020

If you have been paying attention to the national conversation surrounding COVID-19, you may be aware of the distinction made between “essential” and “non-essential” personnel and businesses For example, grocery stores and banks are considered essential and some recreational activities, entertainment, and service-oriented businesses are considered non-essential. Not only has this declaration sent many hard-working people home, but it has also raised certain questions. My brother has had a stable job with a great income for several years. Recently, he was sent home because his business was considered non-essential. Soon after he posed the question on Facebook, “Do I matter?” My personal barber has cut my hair for years. To me, he is more than a barber. He is a confidante and a true friend and, needless to say, I share a lot with him because I trust him. I mean, I am not just going to let anyone cut my hair! Unfortunately, he has had to suspend his business because his business falls under the non-essential category. To my brother, to my barber, and to all those who have been sent home due to the pandemic, you ARE essential. You do matter! You matter because you matter to God.

God made each of us in His image. He considered you essential enough to breathe breath into your lungs. He considered you essential enough to give you a personality. He considered you essential enough to give you a purpose in this life. He considered you essential enough to die for you. None of this may be earth-shattering, but it is no less true. Quite frankly, we should remind ourselves often that God loves us and He cares about us. 

I love what Jesus says in Matthew 6:26 when He reminds His listeners to: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” In context, He is letting the crowd know that they do not have anything to worry about because God will take care of them. Would God do such a thing to non-essential beings? Certainly not. Just as God considers the birds in the sky essential enough to feed them, He considers us essential enough to want to walk with us in this life.

To all the recreation, entertainment, and service-oriented business personnel, you are essential and you do matter. To those whose workplaces have not missed a beat and are considered essential, you matter as well! In closing, the apostle Paul repeatedly tells the Thessalonian church to encourage one another with positive reports and words of affirmation (1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11, 5:14). I believe we all could use more positivity and affirmation. I hope this blog post has served such a purpose and will encourage you to share with others the positive and affirming message that they matter!

 

David Moore

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