Notes from Jan

Becoming A Vaccine

August 15, 2020

Lets get this straight. I’m no scientist,  but I know vaccines tell our immune system to make antibodies.  We need them.  Antibodies run through our blood like tiny spies with magnifying glasses, uncovering things that don’t belong. In the body it’s foreign invaders like viruses and harmful bacteria.  In the mind and spirit it’s, for starters, fear, hate and greed.

A good vaccine encourages antibodies to uncover , then destroy what doesn’t belong.  Deep down most of us know what shouldn’t be in us or out there.  Sometimes, we think the enemy is a WHO, but that’s a  lie to get us to fight against each other instead of for. But every now and then, it’s a WHAT.  For example, most of us know masks aren’t political.  They’re vital antibodies made of fabric, unaffected by protests, conspiracy theories or  anyone’s  personal freedom. All they want to do is help slow the spread of this virus and save lives.  Noble cloth.

We need to get better at lie detection and  truth discernment.  Lying’s as old as the story in Genesis when a  snake whispered slight variations on the Truth and two folks bit.  We’re still biting.

So I’ve been thinking that we, as potential vaccines, need to go through trials, not in the clinical sense like for Covid-19, but in the spiritual, mental and emotional sense. These soul-tests prove we’ll  do no harm, only good as a preventative or  to lessen the ill-effects and spread of the diseases of fear, hate and greed that plague  us and our world.

Well, I’m no doctor but here’s my Rx: James 1:2-4. “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.  You know that under pressure your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of it prematurely.  Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”(The Message)

Makes me wonder how much I really want to grow up to be a vaccine?

Which is way too heavy and sacred a question to handle alone.

“Jesus, it’s me, again.”

 

 

 

 

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12 Comments

  • Reply Becky Manseau Barnett August 16, 2020 at 1:36 am

    I needed this! Thank you, Jan.

    • Reply Jan Carlberg August 16, 2020 at 6:12 pm

      How fun to see your name pop up, Becky. You and Will are good vaccines needed to help stem the spread of viruses far worse than Covid-19.

  • Reply dale August 16, 2020 at 7:30 am

    Thanks Jan,

    Working in the medical setting, we hear patients ask questions, which reflect misinformation (often lies) about this pandemic and what they should do to protect themselves and their families. They want, understandably, the quick fix/cure, but often look to the wrong source for this information. Many of us look to political parties or protests for this remedy, when Scripture, with all of its areas of vagueness, is perfectly clear about one thing; come to Jesus, the author and completer of our faith.

    Thanks for your faithfulness to Jesus.

    • Reply Jan Carlberg August 16, 2020 at 6:24 pm

      Yes, social media and some in leadership promote misinformation and outright lies regarding more than this virulent virus.
      You , Dale, are a good man in a good place to be one of the truth tellers, a healer versus a hurt-er.
      As you know, I am one who thinks protests help, the non-violet kind. We need people like the former Congressman John Lewis to nudge us in the direction of justice by courageously taking action and challenging others to get into “good trouble.”
      And like you, it’s a rare day I don’t sing or utter Fernando Ortega’s lyrics “In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus.” It gives me comfort and perspective to know Jesus is praying for us.

  • Reply Jim Trent August 16, 2020 at 7:57 am

    Thank you, Jan

    • Reply Jan Carlberg August 16, 2020 at 6:26 pm

      Always good to hear from you, Jim. Knowing your heart and determination to get into “good trouble”, you’ll sign up to become part of this sacred vaccine.

  • Reply Linda Campbell August 16, 2020 at 5:53 pm

    Thank you so much for the encouragement to look to the truth. We live in a world that looks to misinformation and lies. Please keep drawing us to the WORD – that gives life and true freedom. Thank you

    • Reply Jan Carlberg August 16, 2020 at 6:30 pm

      You’re welcome, Linda.. It’s important to stay hopeful, while realistic. The Bible is full of both. I think some get hooked on lies but most want to know the truth and to be part of a solution, not add to the world’s problems. The JOY of the Lord is our strength and that JOY is contagious. Happy spreading.

  • Reply Marla Henderson August 17, 2020 at 1:30 am

    Loved this one!

    • Reply Jan Carlberg August 17, 2020 at 8:39 pm

      Well, you are a sweet surprise, Marla! To think this reached you in the Philippines. Thank you for reading and taking the time to respond.. Hugs to you and Rich and the Macaluso clan. Love always, “aunt” Jan

  • Reply RUSS BISHOP August 17, 2020 at 5:56 pm

    ” Jesus wants me for a vaccine, to spy for him each day” . I bet you know the tune!

    • Reply Jan Carlberg August 17, 2020 at 8:41 pm

      It’s a doable duet. Keep us singing and laughing, Russ.

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