I focus on what I want for myself. I don’t want others telling me what to do. I particularly don’t want others telling me what to do or what to put into my body. (Warning: This is not pro or anti vaccine). This vain conceit applies to vaccines, as well.
My husband and I had a lengthy conversation after he received his second COVID shot. As a K-12 teacher, he was in phase one of the distribution. For him, getting a vaccine was the obvious choice. For me, it’s not so clear. We discussed all of my concerns and hesitations with quickly rolled out vaccine. He followed with all the reasons I should get one. Then he said the magic statement, “Don’t get all oppositional defiant on me.”
Yep, he pushed the button. I wanted to push back. I immediately let vain conceit take over. I was smart enough to hold my tongue, but I really wanted to cut loose regarding not forcing me to do anything to my body. My focus in making this decision has been solely based on what I think is right for me. My sense of independence was leading the charge, and in my mind I was thinking, “nobody is going to tell me what to do.”
What I wasn’t hearing is my husband’s genuine concern for my wellbeing. It took a couple of days of praying for God to get through to me. He reminded me that my husband’s concerns have value. He reminded me that I needed to pause and listen, first. Vaccine aside, this discussion reminded me that I am to put him first. I am to put others first. I was stuck in the me, me, me.
2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:1-4 NIV).
At the writing of this, my verdict on the vaccine, for me, is still out. Setting aside my vain conceit to put others first is back in the front of my mind. Where is your focus? Do you put others first or are you stuck in selfish ambition. Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.