The Law
Recently, the state of Texas banned abortions as early as six weeks after conception and/or as soon as “cardiac” activity is detected. In other words, a baby will not be aborted in Texas once he or she has a heart beat, and some women are concerned that this decision could be the first step to overturning Roe v. Wade in all fifty states. (Roe v. Wade protects a pregnant woman’s liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restrictions.)
Media Influence
According to the media, social groups, and various elected officials, this decision in Texas will impact the African American community and impoverished areas the most. This is one of the many reasons why women across America plan to protest against this decision. Yet, I can’t help but to ask this question: when did abortion become a part of our legacy? When did it attach itself to us? When did it become a normal procedure? When did it become as routine as a yearly checkup? We must fight against this idea that abortion is inevitable in our communities. We cannot allow the enemy to write our story.
The Heart of the Matter
The fact is: women have abortions for various reasons. It is an extremely personal decision and I will not spend one moment judging them. Yet, the question at hand is this: At what point does this developing “baby” have rights? Is it murder or is it a reproductive decision? Should a woman be allowed to end a pregnancy that occurs, as a result of rape or incest? Is an embryo or fetus really a baby? There are so many “gray areas” to consider. I can’t imagine that a group of elected official could come up with the “right” decision for everyone.
God’s Amazing Love
Well, as I meditated about this week’s blog, I was led to read about Jeremiah. He’s an important person in our history. As he prepared to step into his calling, God delivered one of the most powerful messages to him. He said, ” Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Then, Jeremiah said, “Alas, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to him, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 1:5-8 NIV).
So, what is so significant about this? Well, it supersedes the conversation about a heart beat. It supersedes the conversation about an embryo or a fetus being a “baby” because we are known by the Father before we are ever formed in our mother’s womb. Therefore, purpose is attached to the embryo. Purpose is attached to the fetus. As a believer in Christ Jesus, we can’t forget this fact. We can’t leave God out of the equation. Stop saying it’s your body! Stop saying the choice is yours! The choice belongs to HIM. You just have to be ready for the answer because his ways are not our ways. You might be ready to throw in the towel because a child wasn’t conceived the way you thought it should be, but we must remember that God’s purpose is bigger than your pain. God’s purpose is bigger than your plan. You feel like you’re alone, but our Father will never leave you or forsake you.
Oh! I know it gets hard. Sometimes you feel like saying, “Well, where was God when this happened?” “Where was God when that happened?” Well, Jesus told us that there would be trouble in the world. We can’t escape trouble because we live in a sinful world, but Jesus overcame the world on the cross! Nothing is too big for him! You think it is the end but it is just the beginning. Sometimes things don’t work out like we planned. Sometimes we have to go through something but there is NO condemnation in Christ Jesus. So, if they’re talking about you, let them talk! They talked about Jesus, and He is a reminder that all things work out for the good of those who love the Lord and have been called according to God’s purpose. He could have gotten off that cross at anytime, but he didn’t abort the plan no matter how painful it was. He understood that God’s purpose for his life had to be fulfilled. Your trial will become your testimony! One day you will be able to tell people how God brought you through one of the most difficult times in your life.
God’s Mercy
To my saved and sanctified brothers and sisters, who are filled with the Holy Spirit, I pray that you will find it in your heart to love the ones who decide to have an abortion anyway. I know that it goes against everything that we believe in, and it’s difficult for us to understand why a person would go against God’s plan for us.
Oh, wait! God’s plan is for us to love our neighbor as ourselves, but we’re so caught up on someone else’s “sin” that we don’t realize that we are all sinners saved by his grace and mercy. We love to tell people that God hates the shedding of innocent blood. Yet, let’s review the scripture in its entirety.
Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV states: “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” Yes! We all have some work to do.
You see, when we lash out, belittle, and demonize people for their personal choices, we are going against God’s plan for us because we are sowing seeds of discord. He didn’t condemn the woman at the well for having five husbands. He talked to her about the living water! His ability to love people and to meet them where they were added to the kingdom daily while he walked this Earth. The question is: are you following his example? Who are you adding to the kingdom? Can anyone see your light? Could they follow you out of the darkness? Your LOVE could save a little one’s life along the way. Just think about it. Then, go to the Father and pray about it because holding grotesque signs and screaming at people on their way into a clinic is NOT WORKING!!!! We have to reach them before they get to that point. It’s time to do a little soul searching.
#Soul Searching with Our Father#
