(Disclaimer: I’m not really a doctor, but I do know a thing or two about injections )

As more and more people are getting inoculated with the coronavirus vaccine, consider me an injection expert. I haven’t received the vaccine yet, but over the last ten years (thanks to my light and momentary migraine troubles), I estimate that I have had over 1,250 injections. Botox and Xiomin injections (30-40 shots every three months in 8 out of the last 10 years); monthly Aimovig doses; and 4 or 5 Benadryl injections per month add up to being poked a lot. This is not counting a few flu shots, blood draws, IV treatments, and other random jabs I’ve received in the last decade. Pin cushions have got nothing on me. 

Except for the injections that I administer myself (Aimovig and Benadryl), I’ve never watched a needle go in my arm, leg or head. Instead, I look away, close my eyes and often sing (in my mind– singing out loud would give my health care worker a headache). So when it’s your turn to roll up your sleeve, try singing. It can’t hurt. 

Just in case, you don’t know any appropriate hymns for such “sticky” situations (pun intended), here is my Covid-19 Vaccine hymn sing suggestions:

Before receiving the injection (possibly to your healthcare professional): Softly and Tenderly.  

While getting injected: Be Still My Soul or Cleanse Me.  

If the health care provider makes three attempts to vaccinate your arm: Holey, Holey, Holey (extra “e” provided)

The two words you DO NOT want to be used in describing your inoculation site: Deep and Wide

If the nurse has to use a tourniquet: Blest Be the Tie that Binds

Post vaccination: There is Power in the Blood

If the clinic doesn’t except your insurance and wants compensation:  Jesus Paid It All

Once we are in post vaccination world again: We Gather Together

Of course, If the conspiracy theorists are right and this vaccination is deadly, then maybe we’ll be singing:  When We All Get to Heaven. (That’s plain silly, not the hymn, conspiracy theories).

Unlike my previous 1,250 shots, I am looking forward to getting the vaccine (but I still won’t watch it go into my arm). Also unlike my other injections, this one is as much for others as it is for me.  As we all know, Covid-19 has changed everything—pastoring included. Pastors have been shut out of hospitals, nursing homes and in many cases simply interacting with people. I’m hoping an inoculation will allow me access to help, pray and point people to Jesus. Not quite as dramatic as Neil Armstrong’s famous quote on the moon, still I am hoping for: “One small poke for man, one giant leap toward normalcy.”  

Normalcy is coming. More and more of us are being vaccinated every day. In the meantime, keep praying for everyone in our covid-19 world, including: our government leaders, healthcare professionals, essential workers, and all those most vulnerable. Keep praying for the sick and remember those families that have lost loved ones. Whether getting a vaccination sooner or later, keep singing. Maybe during this time between inoculations-for-all and back-to-normal life, the best song we could sing is: Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus!  Our ultimate hope is not in a vaccine, but in Jesus! 

This really isn’t a political post, so please don’t read it that way. It’s written to my follow believers no matter how they voted and which party (if any) they support.

Like you, I have seen over the course of the last several months Christians behaving badly. This was most recently demonstrated over and over again in the news clips of people storming the Capitol Building some carrying Jesus banners, crosses and wearing Christianese paraphernalia. I have seen videos of pastors praying for curses to be brought upon those who disagreed with their political view. Some Christians, even well-known Christian leaders, have been guilty of spreading false rumors. Others have called for insurrection and extoled the use of violence in the name of Jesus. I’ve seen white supremacists and those blatantly exposing racist attitudes declaring a devotion to Jesus (sometimes in the same sound bite). If Jesus were still in the grave, he’d be rolling over. Instead, surely Jesus is disgusted by what has been done in his name by a few nut cases and a few whose eyes are no longer fixed on Him. 

Here’s the problem, like you and me, my non-Christian friends and acquaintances have seen this unsurely business too. They have seen the minority of Christians behaving badly, thinking this is all of Christianity and have said a big “Thanks but no thanks” to anything related to Christians. If we define “Christian” as being a follower of Christ, then we need to start acting like Jesus. We need to modify the campaign slogan of four years ago. Let’s “Make Christianity Christian Again.”

Let’s preach, teach and live out the lessons of Jesus. Let’s pray for those who disagree with us (our enemies). Let’s refuse to curse those who curse us. Let’s be peacemakers. Let’s love people—all people. Let’s not be afraid to eat with the “tax collectors and other sinners” of our day. Let’s be a good neighbor. Let’s not cast the first stone, and yet still be bold and loving enough to say, “Go and sin no more.” Let’s bring healing and help. Let’s be quick to forgive and quicker to seek forgiveness. Let’s be slow to speak, slower to anger and slowest at being first. Let’s pick up the basin and towel and serve. Let’s remember to also pick up our cross daily. Let’s be like Jesus. Let’s Make Christianity Christian Again. 

Usually I take this space to offer an encouraging word; maybe a light-hearted little piece; or a commentary on the church. Following yesterday’s images from Washington D.C that were broadcast across the country, as a pastor (not as a politician), I am compelled to offer this:

America is divided. Like never before in my lifetime, we are not a “united” state. My heart is heavy and sad. In the midst of such chaos and turmoil, there can be a few things on which followers of Jesus agree. Such as:

• What happened at the Capitol Building yesterday was a disgrace. 

• Yesterday’s events have once again exposed that we have problems in our country. Lots of problems. Problems that will not go away overnight.

• Violence is not the answer to our many problems.

• Jesus is correct when he said in Mark 3:25, ^“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Houses, churches and/or countries in this context are all the same. Division leads to destruction.

• The answer to our world’s greatest problems is Jesus. We have just celebrated the season when we had the audacity to believe prophet Isaiah’s words considering the Babe of Bethlehem:  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Given the above facts, can we, followers of Prince of Peace, join together in praying for our country? Jesus called us to love and pray for even our enemies. Such a call includes praying for the following people…

• Those with whom we disagree
• Those who voted differently than us
• Politicians and leaders on both sides (all sides) of the aisle 
• Those who were hiding in offices as rioters stormed the Capital Building 
• Those who were doing the storming 
• The police officers who were trying hard to protect and serve
• Our children who watched yesterday’s unfolding drama and today are wondering about the country we will one day hand over to them 

My heart breaks for our nation. Our greatest weapon is prayer (Ephesians 6:18). So let’s pray. Our greatest attribute is love. So let’s love one another (John 13:34). Our great temptation will be to take our eyes off Jesus and onto something or someone else. So let’s keep our “eyes fixed on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). 

Will America recover from this divisiveness? I do not know. Will Jesus be Lord when all is said and done? Yes, He will!