The past month has been one of the most challenging and strange times in my life. I know many of you are feeling the same way-the pressure, the anxiety, the stress, the questions. I wanted to share a bit of what’s been on my heart in these past couple weeks with you today. I am TIRED! I told my husband on Saturday morning, that I am just exhausted! The dictionary would tell you that exhausted means “drained, worn out, ready to drop, spent, depleted and empty.” How many of you can relate to those feelings?

I find myself worrying more these days about what the future is going to hold. I initially thought this would all pass in a few weeks and we would all come out of isolation and life would get back to normal. Now I hear people talking about how these changes will affect us permanently, and that quite honestly gives me a sense of dread.

You have heard me talk about all the different circumstances I faced over my life and how God brought me through some very challenging times. All of that was true! God is faithful! He is in control! Yet, I am human and I still struggle while I am in the valley, and I am fighting my way back up the mountain. But I know that God is with me in this fight and I am not alone!

So, what is “essential”? Food, water, shelter, clothing—all these things are essential to live. But in this time of quarantine and isolation, I think we can add a few more things to the list of what’s essential. Hope, Love, Peace and Faith are all essential for our survival during this pandemic. Hope and love are essential to me, as I drag myself out of bed each day, go to work and help my customers and support my teammates. And how do I have peace or faith right now when our lives are changing so rapidly and with so much uncertainty? My answer—Jesus Christ! Jesus is my ‘ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEE’! I can do nothing without him.

Just one more thought from my heart—for those of us who are younger, we have never experienced a situation like this before. When, in the United States of America, have you ever been denied the opportunity to attend church? When, have you been denied assembling together to worship? I will admit, the first Sunday, I was happy to be able to sleep in. But after that, after the strain of each day and the isolation from my fellow believers-it started to affect me! Now I have a better understanding of those who can’t meet for fellowship. Those believers who are being persecuted for their faith.

My message today to you my friend is this—make Jesus essential! We can rest in his love. We can have faith in his goodness. We can have peace that he is in control. -Psalm 40:1 “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” Lift your voice to him and share what’s on your heart.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3