…If only my message about Jesus was as passionate!
First of all, I would like to thank our Heavenly Father for calling me in the midst of my imperfections. I want to thank him for calling me during a global pandemic and racial unrest in 2020. I thank him for seeing what I could not see within myself. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
This journey is all about self-reflection, so sometimes I have to take a long hard look at myself and ask God to search my heart. And through this process, I had to admit that I’ve developed a prejudiced attitude toward unvaccinated people, who choose not to wear a mask in public buildings. Of course, I understand that there are extenuating circumstances. For me, the mask can be challenging at times because I have breathing issues, but I can’t understand why people would “choose” not to receive a vaccination that “could” save their lives and the lives of their loved ones, or why they would choose to fight against wearing a mask that “could” prevent the spread of a deadly virus. To me, that is an example of loving thy neighbor as thyself. As believers in Christ Jesus, shouldn’t we do our part to help our fellow man? Yet, I see many believers in Christ Jesus fighting for their rights to remain mask free and vaccination free, as the COVID-19 numbers continue to rise, and it angers me. People continue to use conspiracy theories and political jargon as their reason for not being vaccinated, and it angers me. People downplay the lives that have been lost by saying, “More people have died from this disease or that virus,” and it comes across as being cold and callous because we follow a savior who believes in leaving the 99 for the 1. So I ask myself: What about the ONE person that could be saved? Shouldn’t we do everything to help them?
Sitting alone with my thoughts, I begun to stereotype these people over the last year. Uh oh! Did you hear that? I said, “These people!” Stereotypes produce biases and biases produce prejudices that can ultimately separate us from our brothers and sisters.
You see, millions of people have died from Covid-19. (Many of those people died before a vaccine was available). However, people continue to die from Covid-19 and some of them passed away because they chose not to take the vaccine. Situations like that grieve me. On the other hand, millions of unsaved people have died and will spend an eternity in hell because they refused to give their lives to Christ, but I barely give that a second thought. As a believer in Christ Jesus, I need to get my priorities straight.
Well, on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, I was in the car line picking up our oldest daughter and this message was downloaded in my spirit. Why are you shocked and surprised that people “choose” not to take a man made vaccine that “may” or “may not” save their lives? God gave the world a savior that “will” save their souls from an eternal hell and mankind has been rejecting him for 2,000 years. An unsaved soul and people with a form of godliness but denying the power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the deadliest infection we face in this society, but you’re not as passionate about that as you are with your Covid-19 statistics! That was a two-edged sword moment for me!
Based on various “statistics,” Christianity in America is declining. Church membership is lower than its ever been and this was occurring prior to the pandemic. People no longer want to be identified as Christians. They are “spiritual,” and less likely to believe in Jesus. Yet, John 3:16 is one of the most familiar verses in the bible. (Unbelievers can quote this verse). That’s how familiar it is! It states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” So, what does that mean? Well, if this “statistic” is true… if Americans are rejecting the very foundation of Christianity, it tells me that there is an attack on Christianity and we know this is true because Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy. This attack is like an infectious disease that could wipe out generations of believers, but God provided a treatment plan for us over 2,000 years ago. His name is Jesus! Of course, people used conspiracy theories and political jargon to discredit him too; however, I am here to tell you that he is seated on the right hand of the Father and he is interceding on our behalf. When we “choose” to follow him, there are no unfavorable side effects. We get to live eternally with our Father in Heaven. It doesn’t have to be CDC approved. We don’t have to wait for a certain political party to get behind it. We don’t have to stand in line or be placed on a waiting list. It’s ready and available for whosoever will.
And as we continue to be impacted by Covid-19, I cannot allow my frustration to cause me to be a stumbling block for my future brothers and sisters in Christ because love is patient and love is kind. Let me rephrase that: Jesus is patient and Jesus is kind, so I must let my light shine at this moment. When Jesus was being crucified, he said, “Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they do.” Yet, I can’t find it in my heart to make a personal decision for my family without being judgmental of others. I can’t make a personal decision for my family without belittling someone else’s decision for their family. Come on, Nicole! Showing love during a difficult time like this could be another opportunity to bring someone to Christ. We can’t allow anger and frustration to rule over us. Twenty years from now, a study could come out and determine that my decision to be vaccinated wasn’t right either; however, the one thing that will always be right is love… Just think about it. Then, go the Father and pray about it.
#Soul Searching with Our Father#
