After taking a few weeks off for the summer, my plan was to write a blog that talked about the benefits of rest and the importance of focused time with family. But, a story broke this week that really has called me to go in a different direction.

The Center for Medical Progress released a video of a high-ranking member of Planned Parenthood discussing the sale of aborted babies organs and tissue. This story truly broke my heart. But not only for the most obvious reasons of defenseless babies being killed and dismembered for sale. My goodness, this story came from America! Or, for the matter-of-fact way in which the Planned Parenthood executive discusses how the doctors can perform an abortion in a certain way to save the organs that will be sold.

No, what hit me the hardest after the shock of the story is that I realized that I will have to give an account for what I did to defend the defenseless. I say I am “pro-life”. I vote for “pro-life candidates”. But what am I doing to help mothers who are considering abortion? I can’t sit back and claim to not be able to do anything to help those who are unable to help themselves.

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FINAL THOUGHTS AND NEXT STEPS

I feel so tempted to just sit back and shrug my shoulders and think that some problems are just so large that I can’t do anything about them. But, is that would Jesus would have me do? Is there times in the Bible where He looks at the disciples and says, “Well guys, it is what it is. I know it just doesn’t seem right, but the opposition is well-funded and has a hold on the culture so we will just have to make the best of things.” Reading that even sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it!

So here are some next steps for us if you, too, feel as though something has to be done:

1. Start thinking of yourself as an “agent of restoration”. We are called to be God’s agents here on earth to restore what has been lost.

2. Unless you have thoroughly prepared, please don’t argue with hard-core pro-choicers who are just looking to suck you into a debate. If their heart doesn’t allow them to truly listen to what you are saying you can’t change their minds anyway. All that does is run you a great risk of looking poorly. Focus instead on what actions you can do to help support the pro-life movement.

3. Commit to praying for the ending of abortion.

4. Volunteer and/or financially support local non-profit pregnancy care centers. This week I have identified 3 in my area that I am prayerfully considering supporting with my time. If anyone has a particular place they support I would love to here from you.

5. Get informed! Here are two great materials I have been introduced to in the last week:

A. Chapter 4 of “Restoring All Things: God’s Audacious Plan to Change the World Through Everyday People” by John Stonestreet and Warren Cole Smith
B. Listen to the July 10th podcast of “Listening In” with special guest Scott Klusendorf. I can’t tell you how much that conversation will inspire you!

More to come…
Jeremy