Webster defines essential as what is “absolutely
necessary; extremely important; fundamental or central to the nature of
something or someone.”
When you think about it, what is really essential anyway –
especially in light of what’s going on in our world right now thanks to the coronavirus
pandemic? Essential. Hmmmm…
Over the years, I’ve heard about “essential oils” but I'm not very
familiar with them. As I understand it, these are
"essential" in the sense that they contain the "essence of"
a plant's fragrance — a characteristic fragrance of the plant from which it is
derived.
Not sure if I’ve ever actually used essential oils, as least knowingly?
But, in contemplating many different thoughts and ideas in the past few hours,
I started wondering if as a follower of Christ there aren’t several “essential
all’s” that I can be doing as a fragrance of Christ in response to this
world crisis?
Taking a cue from Galatians 5:22-23, what follows are
nine all’s I’d like to challenge each of us to consider while we have this forced pause in our normal life patterns:
1. All of us can love people like we’ve
never loved them before. Reach out to your neighbors and find out if they have
a need. Love them in the midst of this crisis when they might be fearful or negative
or angry. And, if you don’t know your neighbors yet, use this time to think
about how you can get to know them when that will be appropriate. Think about
loving someone in new and different ways.
2. All of us can be joyful somehow, even in the midst of
this crisis. If you are reading this, you have life and breath and the ability
to connect with someone electronically. Something to be joyful about! It has been said that joy is good for your
health (Proverbs 17:22). Proverbs 15:13 says that a “joyful heart makes a
cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.” Think about
being joyful.
3. All of us can seek peace. We can pray for
our country, our leaders, our families and our future. We can seek to do
whatever promotes unity (versus division) in our crazy world. We can avoid things that
make us overly anxious or excessively tense - things that cause us to actually be at war with one another at times.
Think about ways to seek peace in the midst of this storm.
4. All of us can be patient with others (especially
those with whom we really would rather not!). Be an example to those around you of what
it means to trust the One in Whom we can literally trust our very lives. Think about the immediate needs and concerns of others around us, not just of our own selfish desires. Provide an
extra measure of grace to those around you. Think about being patient at all times.
5. All of us can be kind. Communicate with your
loved ones somehow as often as possible (in spite of this "social distancing" we are required to be doing). Find out their needs and exhibit
compassion for them daily. All of us can provide some form of comfort to others who need it. All
of us can take this time to improve on our relationships, especially those that are strained. All of
us can give/be generous in some way to the benefit of others. Think about being kind.
6. All of us can be good. What can you learn
during this time, especially with regards to helping others? What can you give up for
someone else's benefit? Look for ways to be creatively good now so that you can share
that same good once this crisis is over. Make at least one phone call each day to whoever is on your mind. Ask God to reveal His purpose for your life in the
midst of this crisis. Think about being good.
7. All of us can be faithful. Place your
trust in the One Who is sovereign over all things. Share the Good News of the Gospel
with those who need to hear it, especially during this time of uncertainty. Point people to the
reason for your hope. Be grateful for at least one thing every day. Pray for
our missionaries around the world who desperately need our fervent prayers at
this time of uncertainty. As much as possible, ignore your fears and place your trust in the One Who
created this world and holds it all together. Think about being faithful.
8. All of us can be gentle. Look for ways to
encourage someone somehow in the midst of this crisis. Read a good book or two (or read one
to someone else). Ask for forgiveness from those whom you have wronged in the
past. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in the coming days, giving you wisdom
for the times we are living through. Don’t be overly hurried or distraught about anything. Think about being gentle.
9. All of us can exercise self-control. Turn
away from media that is negative and scary, causing you to panic or be angry about everything. Pray
for and thank those who are putting their lives on the line each and every day to
solve this crisis. Put aside your own selfish desires and think more about the
needs of others around the world. Submit your life to the One Who holds all the
keys to all of life and then pursue happiness unceasingly.
The thing about essential oils is that they provide
healing effects and induce relaxation. I am hoping that these “essential all’s”
provide healing, relaxation and a fragrant aroma to all those around us. Let’s use this time in our
lives to share a characteristic “fragrance” of hope from the One Who
created the recipe for same.
