This past weekend I talked about several subjects and the most difficult was abortion. This was not because I am afraid to talk about difficult issues, or I thought the Bible was unclear on the topic. I know when I talk about abortion the issue has often already been framed by the past church/Christian/political responses…“No… Don’t… It’s murder… You are going to Hell”. I have talked to many women who have been branded and wounded by their feeling of guilt and the adversarial approach of too many so called “Christians”. The truth is life is sacred and only God (who created it) has the right to end it. I began the discussion with a reminder of God’s grace and what Jesus Christ’s death on the cross was all about. If you have had an abortion or encouraged someone to have one- God can forgive, it is not the unforgivable sin. The abortion clinics have never told the women about their future emotional pain and hurt because of the abortion. No one tells the women they may remember each birthday, graduation day and other special days they would have had if they had given birth. We seem to have lost the mom and the unborn child in our desire to be right. This is true on both sides of the issue.
So when it comes to abortion I am thrilled that many Christians have gotten proactive in providing counseling, pre-natal care, adoption series and such so a potential mom and dad know they have options. I want to camp out and spend my energy at the options place and the post-abortion place. Let’s be a church of grace and hope. Let’s put our emphasis on providing options to women who feel trapped in a pregnancy and for women who have experienced an abortion, let’s post abortion counseling and help instead of focusing on picket signs and politics. We are missing the mark when we attack those who are wounded. Let’s continue to be a place of hope, healing and dreams. No matter where you have been or what you have done, God alone can take you through.
Let me give you some links for Hope and Help for someone who might be considering abortion
- http://www.lutzpregnancy.org
- http://www.awpm.net/index.php
- Please talk with me if you need help finding resources.
Let me also give you some links for people who have been through an abortion and are struggling:
- http://www.lutzpregnancy.org/post-abortion-support.html
- http://www.awpm.net/abortion_post.php
- Please contact me if you need assistance finding help. You are not alone.
If you missed the message this weekend where I spoke about abortion- here it is.
