I want to say something about the controversy happening all around us. The fight against abortion has become so passionate, understandably so.
Babies are precious and sacred.
Children are God’s people.
We are God’s children, therefore we are precious and sacred.
I do not believe there is even one person on either side of the debate who delights in killing babies. I do not believe there is even one person on either side who sees abortion as an easy way out. I believe good intentions are the basis of both parties. And as the well known proverb says “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
Life is so difficult. Bad things happen all of the time to good people. We all are forced to make difficult decisions at one time or another and struggle with what is right. Yes, life is sacred. All lives are sacred.
To make abortion illegal will not eradicate abortion. Good health care, education, access to contraceptives and free vasectomies, condemnation and active prosecution of sexual predators and sex traffickers, and actively showing love to all we meet, these things will decrease abortions.
It’s important to remember that as Christians we believe every aborted baby is instantly in the arms of Jesus Christ, instead of in a crack house, or poverty stricken and abused and neglected.
Abortion is sad and devastating even to those who choose it as their best option. The key word is choice.
As a Christ follower, I don’t see abortion as any more heinous than having children grow up neglected, abused, and forgotten. I don’t see it as any more horrific than the daily mass shootings happening because the right to bear arms is more important to many than mental health screenings and safe schools.
I don’t see abortion as any more horrible than the hate I’ve seen spewed out by many supposedly in the name of Christ. To treat another human being with contempt, judgement and hatred is completely against Jesus’s teachings.
I believe we are focusing on the wrong things to change.
Let’s eradicate poverty, let’s pursue universal health care, let’s provide free child care and counseling, let’s help those in desperation and need. And above all else, let us love one another.
““You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.””
Matthew 5:43-48 MSG
Seasons of the Soul 