abortion

Genesis 2:7
Psalm 127:3-5
Psalm 139:13-16

Abortion is one of the greatest injustices of our time.
There is no way to overstate this truth.

From the beginning of Creation, our God has made clear that every person was and is created for a purpose. Regardless of our status, stature, state or sin, our Creator wants us. He painstakingly crafted every facet of our being.
Whether we deem new life a human “mistake” or not,
HE deigned our existence.
HE called us into being.
HE gives us purpose.

The thing is…that’s not really where we tend to get stuck.
Any Google search for “ways to stop abortion” will pull up images of protesters lined up outside abortion clinics, poster boards bearing Bible verses, and ultimately we are left feeling somewhat helpless.
We agree that abortion is wrong, but we find ourselves holding strong convictions with no clue how to take a stand beyond sharing well-written, if ineffective, diatribes via social media profiles.

If we want to take a stand in the face of this injustice, we need to begin by starting a new conversation.
Rather than asking how we can fight abortion, perhaps we need to be asking how we can fortify the people facing circumstances or situations that leave them feeling like they have no choice. We need to ask how we, the Church, are currently responding to them.

Are we racing to be the first to offer the unwed mother shelter in our own home, car rides to appointments or our hand to hold in the ultrasound room? Or are we withholding our best for those in situations we approve of? Are we throwing baby showers and loving on their littles as freely as we do our own? Or are we pretending we don’t see the need there?

Further…how are we, the Church, responding to the mother or fatherless in our midst? Are we reaching out to the neighbor boy with the single mom who works three jobs? Are we drawing him into authentic life with us? What about the pre-teen whose father passed away this summer? Does she know our door is open and what’s ours is hers? Are we examining ways that we can support and encourage families who foster and adopt – both individually and corporately?

This is for me as much as anyone, but we have to be real about this.
If we are going to be pro-life, then we need to be pro-people.
We have to recognize that we are turning our eyes away from the hard things. We claim Scripture…while choosing convenience.
We condemn the mother who chose abortion without acknowledging that we failed to be her people.
Loves, God breathes life into every baby, yes.
But he also breathed life into that baby’s parents, and the truth is that we are not loving them well.

Jesus own words leave little to interpretation here.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

Every person facing an unexpected pregnancy is familiar with the shock that news brings. Surprise, concern over finances, perhaps worry over our health, and certainly over the new future ahead of us. The sinking realization that all our carefully laid plans (or perhaps the blissful lack thereof) are suddenly tossed out the window and we now face the frightening responsibility of caring for, providing for, and raising a child for the rest of our life instead. Now imagine if we were facing that reality on our own. No spouse, no family support. Maybe a boyfriend, but maybe not. No one to tell us that the morning sickness will pass or bring us ginger ale and crackers. Or maybe our family is nearby…but telling them about the baby would mean choosing to be ostracized.

How are we loving and showing up for people?
Are we loving and showing up for people?
Hard questions, Loves.
I’m not going to speak for you here, but I’ll tell you I don’t love my own answer.

As we think and pray about how we can start new conversations about abortion and how we can make a difference, I want to leave us with a few opportunities to consider. This brief list of organizations and ideas give us opportunities to take real, actionable steps toward showing up, loving and supporting people.

• Rachel House provides free pregnancy tests, free ultrasounds, and abortion education in the Kansas City area. Donation & volunteer opportunities available.
• The LIGHT House provides Christ-centered maternity care, adoption services and on-going ministry to young mothers and their babies in the Kansas City area. Donation and volunteer opportunities available.
• Support foster families. Jason Johnson suggests ten simple ways the church can support foster families.

We’d love to know what next steps you are deciding to take!
Let us know!

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