Wednesday; August 18

I think I have learned as much about COVID in the last couple of weeks as I have at just about any other time during the pandemic. When the vaccination became available several months ago, I got as close to the front of the line as I could. After all, if I get the vaccination, I will be able to get rid of my masks and won’t have to worry about testing positive for the virus. Well, through the months I have learned that breakthrough cases do occur and, while we can get sick, the potential of vaccinated people ending up in the hospital is much less than those who haven’t been vaccinated. While it is tempting for me to be upset that the shot didn’t solve all of my problems, the reality is that with it I am in significantly less danger than if I hadn’t gotten it.
Now, the reason for this observation isn’t to discuss vaccinations, it is to make a parallel point from godliness. When we become Christians, we might enter the relationship expecting to live a peaceful, carefree life. After all, aren’t we the children of the All-Powerful God? Yet, the truth is that discipleship isn’t the golden ticket to a worry-free living – just ask the early Christian martyrs – but, it does provide us with a special type of safety and security. Paul all but guarantees that we will have issues when he writes, “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison …” (II Corinthians 4:16-17), but he also promises that we will be able to overcome them. No, Christianity isn’t an absolute antidote to troubles and trials, but it puts us in a position to be able to endure and conquer.
Let’s rely on God’s presence in our lives to get us through anything life can throw at us. When we believe that He will carry us through, we’ll find the peace and comfort that makes life bearable.

Think About It!

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