Scripture
Proverbs 4:20-“My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Observation
During this Covid19 Pandemic, I’ve been told many weird views on whether we should or should not be taking the vaccine. A gentleman recently wrote to New Hope Oahu asking for the church's stance on whether we believe in taking the vaccine or not. The question was posed to pastor Wayne and I felt it important to share just a few excerpts from how he responded:
The vaccine can be controversial but it shouldn’t. It’s NOT the mark of the beast (if it were, we’d stand against it for sure) ... but it’s not. Nor does it contain a tracking device (as some are afraid of. Your iPhone does it better). It is synthetic so it doesn’t carry fetus parts. It is the world’s attempt to stem the virus.
I took the vaccine because I do not want to die on smaller hills. When it comes to travel or to have freedom in meeting without masks, I am for it ... why? Because my main goal is to be able to share the Gospel with anyone God leads me to. I want to gather without restriction so people can hear the good news so if taking the vaccine helps toward that end, I am for it.
We eat worse stuff than the vaccine! We voluntarily put it into our bodies ourselves and ingest chemicals and toxins every time we eat fast food or drink a coke! And now we want to declare that we don’t want anything bad stuff injected into us? First... it isn’t bad and second, we inject ourselves with worse things on a daily basis and we don’t think twice about it.
My main focus is to remove anything that might hinder the Gospel and if having the vaccine might allow us to gather, then we should go for it. This is not a hill to die on.
Application
This letter from PW was a response that I agree with but even before PW wrote this letter, I already made my decision to take the vaccine. If the government wants me to get a vaccine so we can meet, I’m for it. We have to die on the right hills or we lose too many battles (and opportunities to reach people with the Gospel).
I wanted to share just a few excerpts of PW’s response on whether to take the vaccine or not because he explained it the best I have yet to hear it. It only solidifies my decision on whether to take the vaccine or not.
Prayer
FATHER, I pray for the church and this country, and the world during these challenging times. I know You are helping us think through this Pandemic and how we can reach people because of all of this. Help me be creative in reaching people for Jesus and to not die on this hill, not with this battle. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
