What's More Important Than a Flu Vaccine?

Does anyone know when a person should get a flu shot? My guess is that's it is best to get one before flu season hits. And since we can't foretell the future, it's better to be prepared when the season hits earlier and harder than expected.
 
To be honest, I am tired of the media causing such drama about the whole flu thing. Really, you’d think that they were getting kickbacks from the flu vaccine companies. Yes, the flu season is hitting hard this season, but a majority of the people who have died failed to get a flu vaccine. And while alarming, the number of people who die every year from the flu or flu-related symptoms varies from 5,000 to 20,000. If this number seems alarming to you, think about the 21,000 children who die everyday around the world. That’s right, 21,000 children died yesterday from something. Still think the flu numbers are high?

I know people are freaking out because lots and lots of people across the country, as well as other parts of the world, are catching the flu, but not necessarily dying from the flu. But news flash, unlike some other illnesses, there is actually a vaccine to help prevent and/or lessen the degree to which the flu affects a person. The problem sometimes then comes down to choice. When we have the ability to choose whether or not to take a life-saving medicine, we often choose to forego that medicine until sometimes it is too late.

Hmmmm…..sounds a little bit like something else I know. Jesus, when He came down from Heaven to walk on this Earth came for all sinners, not just God’s chosen Jews. Once He died on the Cross and took each one of our sins onto Him, He became our “vaccine.” He gave us what we need in order to save our lives. Yet, there are so many people still failing to get this “vaccine.” Why? It all comes down to choice.
 
I sat today wondering what it would be like if there was a Jesus pandemic today instead of the flu epidemic. What if Jesus came to Earth today, held a press conference and said, “You know what, we’ve changed the game plan. We are going to only offer salvation for the next twenty-four hours. Time starts – NOW!” Clearly, this scenario could never happen based on the Word, but what if it did? I wonder if people would take it seriously or not. Would they even know what to do? 

Listen, there is no guarantee that you won’t get the flu if you get a flu vaccination. My son is proof that you can…he’s had it twice over his lifetime even though he got the vaccination both times, including this year. There’s not even a guarantee that you won’t die from the flu if you get the vaccination. But it is a decision (a choice) that you have to make – you either get the vaccine or assume the risk - plain and simple.
 
However, please take note, your choice doesn’t just affect you. Should you come down with the flu, it can affect family members, co-workers and other unknown people who tragically cross paths with you. It doesn’t just become about you.
 
Your choice impacts others.
 
Unlike medical vaccines, according to the Bible what Jesus offers is guaranteed to save lives. There is no risk of dying with Jesus. When Jesus died on that Cross, He offered up the gift of eternal life (a born-again life) if we would make the choice to call upon Him, repent and believe in Him (1 Peter 1:23).
 
For a lot of people, making the decision to accept Jesus is scarier than a shot, for others it might not ever happen because of the risks or the doubts involved and for others, you will voluntarily choose not to take what He is offering.
 
Have you ever thought about how your choice affects those around you? If you accept Jesus and surrender your life to Him, you will be a new creation. People will take notice. If you voluntarily choose to not accept the gift, think the risks are too high or think you don’t have enough information, others in your household, sphere of influence, workplace, etc. could miss the opportunity to hear about and receive the free gift of eternal life. So again, this doesn’t just become about you.
 
It is much more serious than the flu epidemic or any other news headline that the media chooses to cover. I just wish the media would start covering Jesus’ gift with a sense of urgency…I don’t want religion in the headlines, I want the business of a personal, daily, hourly, minute-by-minute, salvation granted,  relationship with Jesus to be covered.
 
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8 - ESV)