The Flu Shot

 Write From My Heart / October 19, 2020 / The Flu Shot

Romans 12:11 (KJV)  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 

Romans 12:11 (NIV)  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  

Romans 12:11 (NLT)  Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.  

Romans 12:11 (ESV)  Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Romans 12:11 (NASB)  not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

Romans 12:11 (CEV)  Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord.

            There are times when I like to take a particular verse and look at several translations of the same verse—as I have done today. The comparison of wording often brings new insightful meaning. The verse I am studying today can be found in the middle of a very familiar passage to most Christians; however, the emphasis for the entire passage is almost always on the theme of love, joy, or hope. This little verse tucked in the midst of the others is often (in my humble opinion) overlooked or skimmed over. Yet this little verse is exactly what I am needing, and perhaps it is what you are needing it, too.

            Most states in our nation are beginning to return to some sense of normal activity or perhaps we call it the “new normal.” But there are those states such as mine that are still under state mandates and governmental restrictions with the additional governor’s threat of even stronger restrictions to be put in place in the coming days. People living in these areas are becoming disheartened in many ways and some have trouble seeing “the light at the end of the tunnel” as it were. As I thought about this, another thought entered my mind.

Just a few days ago, I got my annual flu shot. The medical reasoning behind getting an annual flu shot is that a flu vaccine is made to protect against the three or four most likely or most common flu viruses present in that year. Somehow in my crazy chaotic mind, it all began to make perfect sense (at least to me). What I needed for this “down” feeling was a spiritual “flu shot”—something to protect my heart against the most likely sources of discouragement. What I needed was a verse that reminds me it is the Lord I am serving. My passion, willingness, devotion, and enthusiasm for serving the Lord is not determined by my physical surroundings, nor is it determined by state or local mandates and restrictions. My passion for serving the Lord comes from my heart. Rather than allowing current circumstances to dampen my enthusiasm for serving the Lord through writing or other means, I can move forward boldly because it is the LORD I am serving. Dear friends, I hope this brings you encouragement today to move boldly forward no matter what circumstances would dampen your resolve. Take heart, serve the Lord enthusiastically.