Today I got a shot for my mission trip to the World Race. This was not the first day for shots, but it was the first time I contemplated exactly what I was doing:
I am becoming a superhuman. . .
But really, when you think about it, I am injecting dead viruses into my immune system in order for me to consequently never suffer from that specific disease for the rest of my life (excluding booster shots, of course). Not until recently has this even become medically possible to mankind, but here I am, creating a force field within my body that will protect me from physical vulnerabilities that this world throws at me. How cool if my only weakness on this planet became kryptonite?
Then I began to think; what am I doing to build up this “force field” in the other areas of my life? What else can I do to make sure that I am not attacked spiritually for these next eleven months?
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – Ephesians 6:10-17
And that is when I realized the difference between the physical and spiritual immunizations: we can physically get vaccinations to indefinitely protect us from what the world gives us, but we will never be able to find a spiritual “vaccine” to repel evil from us to the point where we no longer have to worry about it.
I will never reach a point in my spiritual relationship with God where I will no longer have to wear His Armor because, the second I choose to let down my guard, the enemy will attack. Just like physical armor, it is only useful when it is worn. Yes, I am saved by the death of Jesus Christ and have eternal life through his resurrection, but God never promised that the Christian life would be easy. He promises that I will never be overpowered with Him on my side.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
I guess that, in itself, is an immunization from the Lord!
