As I sit and reflect on the events of the last year in terms of the pro-life movement, I have to admit I can get discouraged. Although it certainly did not come as a great surprise, almost immediately our president began to take some of the pro-choice steps we feared he would. First came his swift reversal of the “Mexico City Rule” and then (although this is in a different vein than abortion, but still most definitely a life issue) he removed restrictions on the federal funding for stem cell research. And now we are facing a “health care reform” bill that would require me to help fund abortion with my hard earned tax dollars and further open up avenues and availability of this procedure. Add to this the appointees to key positions that are hostile to life issues and it paints a bleak picture.
These are all discouraging details for sure; but, then comes January 22…for those of you who are pro-life activists you probably immediately know the significance of that day each year. It is the “anniversary” (although that always seems to be too cheery of a word in this instance) of the fateful Roe v. Wade decision which basically made abortion on demand in our nation completely unencumbered. Coupled with another decision (Doe v. Bolton) made at the same time, on January 22, 1973 it became legal to obtain an abortion in our nation anytime up to the natural birth of the baby. If you look at the numbers on this the 37th anniversary of these decisions, our nation has allowed the abortion of almost 50 MILLION babies. Reflect on that a moment, it truly boggles the mind.
This is truly a travesty anywhere, but most assuredly in a nation whose own Declaration of Independence declares “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” But, more importantly for me it certainly is in direct opposition to God’s Word; He is very clear when He states “You shall not murder” (ESV). I know that there are some that will euphemistically approach this subject and come to the conclusion that it is something other than the intentional taking of innocent life, but I can only wholeheartedly state that I disagree with them.
So where does this leave us as Christians in the fight against abortion? There will be some of us that march tomorrow in either Washington D.C. or in one of many other cities around our nation to categorically state that we abhor this practice and the detrimental effects that it leaves on all of those involved. Many of us are contacting our legislators so often that they probably know us by first name at this point. Others of us are actively involved in pro-life ministries. Christian clergy of many denominations are speaking out loudly about the sanctity of life and the importance of the body of Christ becoming aware of the injustice that is going on right under our noses.
However, the bottom line is that we serve a mighty, sovereign God and He is in control; somehow this wicked practice at this time in our land fits into His plan and He has a purpose for allowing it to continue. I must admit though, that is a hard one for me to grasp at times. But, I think gives us some idea of where we Christians are left in the fight against abortion…dependence and obedience. Complete dependence on the One who created this universe and every precious life in it; the One who promises that we can “know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (ESV). That is a great promise to depend on.
And simply obedience through our prayer life and our witnessing; only through our petitions to God and through hope in Jesus Christ can people be truly transformed away from thinking that this sad practice of abortion in our land is acceptable in His sight. Pray not only that babies will be saved, but that mothers and fathers who have lost their little ones to abortion will find healing through Christ. Pray that abortion clinic providers and workers will hear the call of the Lord, leave their jobs and truly start helping women. Pray for the many pregnancy centers all across our land that are there not only to lend a hand in dealing with these unexpected blessings, but more importantly they are there to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I, personally, will be praying most fervently that He keeps me vigilant in my efforts to stand in the gap for all of those hurt by abortion.