We have made it through one month of the new year. Does anyone else find themselves asking, "Is 2021 over yet?" but as you snap back into reality, you remember, "Oh wait, it has only been a little over a month." Last year was one of the most challenging years many of us have faced in our lifetime, and this year seems to be moving in the same direction. Along with a world pandemic, many social issues have come to our attention, our country is more polarized than ever, and it can get overwhelming. Among the social issues that confront us is abortion. This is not new to America.
Every four years during election season, abortion laws from all parties are brought to voters' attention. We watch as laws are placed to reduce the number of abortions, and then the same laws are reversed when a new administration takes office. On January 22, 2021, the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, our new administration declared that they will take actions to make abortion more accessible in the guise of healthcare. "The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to codifying Roe v. Wade and appointing judges that respect foundational precedents like Roe." (whitehouse.gov) On January 23, Bri Stendsrud tweeted, "Hilary Clinton is famous for saying abortion should be "safe, rare, & legal." 1) Abortion is never safe for the pre-born child. 2) I'm not sure what's rare about 61 million. In recent yrs. the platform has become extreme, dropping safe & rare. Now it's about legal at any stage."
What broke my heart the most is when I learned that in the first ten days of 2021 that 1.1 million babies were aborted worldwide, reported by W.H.O. Doesn't that make you feel like someone kicked you in the gut? So what can we do about it? If we oppose abortion and believe that every life is valuable, we must fulfill the role God has given us to love and accept the single and pregnant momma!
"from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." Ephesians 4:16
One question that is asked many times, "Is the church prepared if or when abortion becomes illegal?" What is your first response? Yes or No? Or are you like me and it is so hard to answer the question with just a yes or no? I did a small survey to ask this question, and the results were half and half.
As I contemplated this question and thought about our beloved community of Hattiesburg, MS, on the same day, a Facebook post was made by another nonprofit in the area. They were asking for assistance to help a young homeless woman who had just had her baby. The response was inspiring. It always is. As the local pregnancy medical clinic, we get a front row seat to see our community, who always steps up to take care of the momma and the baby. But I still question if that same woman would be welcomed into our churches with open arms full of grace and ready to pour the love of Christ into her life.
My answer for an entire nation, every community, and every church would be no. There is a shift, but that shift has not happened in all who call themselves Christ-followers. Will you begin to pray with us that the church as a whole would make a shift from being pro-birth to pro-life womb to tomb? Would you help us pray that we all begin to be pro-love! If our only goal is to save the baby, then we will miss opportunities. We will miss opportunities to introduce lost souls to the love of Jesus. We are missing opportunities to show hospitality to a sister in need.
If our only goal is to save the baby, then we will miss opportunities. We will miss opportunities to introduce lost souls to the love of Jesus. We are missing opportunities to show hospitality to a sister in need.
As thankful as I am for lawmakers and those in politics that fight to overturn Roe v. Wade, I believe the church can not rely on a vote to end abortion. Instead of working only to change the law, can I encourage us all to use the gifts God has given us to make the law obsolete and unnecessary? The church has the resources and people to make abortion unthinkable. United, we could reach every young woman facing an unplanned pregnancy to lift her up and speak life into her and her baby. The shift I mentioned earlier means we must see her first. We must leave our opinions and judgments of her at the foot of the cross and ask Jesus to give us His compassion to serve the broken and vulnerable.
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." 1 Peter 4:8-10
