Standing for Life

When it comes to politics, I obviously have many personal opinions. I understand that not everyone will always agree. However, one thing that I do not find debatable is the sanctity of life.

"Trees aren't the only things worth saving."

My initial opinion comes from a biblical perspective. Psalms 139:13-14 says,

"For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well."

He created us in His image. He created each one of us with a purpose. I could go on and on about a biblical perspective of life. Some of the most popular pro-life organizations are not Christian organizations. Being pro-life isn't a Christian thing, it's a moral thing.

If we don't protect life, what do we protect? In fact, if any of us were aborted, we wouldn't be here on Earth to have any opinions about abortion. The Constitution states that we each have three unalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Fortunately, the abortion rates are going down, as science begins to prove that life truly does begin at conception. Modern-day technology is also helping these abortion rates to go down, but unfortunately, on average, more than 2,500 human beings are being killed each day by abortion. Abortion kills the weakest of all in society.

I certainly could list facts about abortion and why it is wrong--but there is something more to being pro-life. Being pro-life is not just about abortion. It is throughout all of life. As someone who is pro-life, I think we often forget about this. Being pro-life means choosing life at age 92, just as much as it means choosing life at conception. Being pro-life means you love others. Being pro-life does not see race, gender, disabilities, or any other characteristic of a person. Being pro-life pertains to everyone.

Now, I am not saying you have to agree with everyone or their lifestyle choices. I certainly disagree with many people. However, you can still love the person, and not love their sin. So next time you think about being pro-life, think about how it pertains to the unborn, but also think about how it pertains to the people you come in contact with daily. A pro-life world would be a loving world.

Love

With it being Valentine's Day this week, I thought I would talk about God's love--but after an eventful week, talking about loving others sounds more appropriate. Love is needed more than ever now.

For the week of Valentine's Day, I saw a lot more hate than I did love. Being involved in politics is not for the weak. Every day, I find more respect for legislators, as they get nasty emails and phone calls from rude people. The lack of respect in our society is not like ever before in history.

I believe if you ever want to get a point across, you must be kind. Yelling and being rude never creates respect. For some reason, especially in politics, we don't know how to have a civil discourse anymore. Arguing and yelling at each other becomes our first instinct.

But that's not how we are intended to act or who we are supposed to be. Like the picture below, we don't choose who is worthy. We aren't the judge. We should love others no matter what. God calls us to love others, regardless of beliefs. And that's the problem--a lack of God in society. As a Christian, it's still easy to stoop to their level. Following God's call to love others isn't easy, but it's necessary. In fact, John 13:34-35 says,

"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.”

As Christians, we should show others God's love. If you aren't a Christian, I still feel kindness is necessary. If we ever want to get a point across, being nice and have a genuine, civil discussion, is the way you gain respect. If you want to be liked, you have to be nice. I always keep in mind a quote, which says, "No one will care how smart or pretty you were if you weren't kind." This couldn't be more true. People remember people for their kindness and love. So let's love and encourage others to love--no matter what time of the year it is, Valentine's Day and every other day.

When It All Falls Apart

Over the past few days, I have been reflecting on a Bible passage from Hebrews 12:26-29, which says,

"At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, 'Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.' This phrase, 'Yet once more,' indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

Whenever things start to go wrong, we tend to automatically think that all is going to fall apart. And guess what? We're probably right. Most of everything will eventually fall apart. But we must take heart, because it's all in His plan.

For someone that likes to have control, this is difficult. Although control is an illusion, it is hard to witness everything fall apart in my life or in the lives of others. Trusting Christ is the only steady foundation to rely upon.

Everything will be shaken that can be, in order that the things that cannot be shaken can remain. Wow. These are powerful words. Very few things are unshakeable; however, we can rest in the fact that His kingdom cannot be shaken. Fortunately, we get to take part in this.

So maybe everything is going wrong for you. Whatever it may be: family, government, friends, job, or money, it all can be shaken. We often put our hope in earthly things, rather than heavenly things. So instead of worrying about losing control, rest in the fact that we are a part of an unshakeable kingdom.

When You Can't Feel Him

Sometimes it doesn't feel like God is around. And that leads to trust in the dark. Honestly, most often for me, it leads more to struggles...until I decide to turn back to that trust. Training ourselves to automatically turn to Him is difficult; however the Bible is a good place to start.

Philippians 1:6 says, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." In this verse, Paul is ensuring us that God is always here. He never forgets about us or His plan for each of our lives.

I tend to question God when I cannot feel Him. But I should probably question myself. Everyone has the highs and the lows, times when they are on fire for God and then when they are not. But when I think back to the times I was close to Him, it was always based off of my lifestyle and choices. When on fire for Him, I read my Bible daily, pray often, and directly see His impact in my life and others' lives around me.

When my faith feels low, I might be doing some of these things. However, my heart is not always fully there. I start to doubt Him and His intentions for my life. Instead of wrestling with myself, it is so much easier to turn to God and what He has to say.

But guess what? Even when we feel low, He is present. In 2 Timothy 2:13, it says, "If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself." No matter what, He is faithful. That can never be stressed enough (at least not for me).

Right now, I am trying to trust Him in the dark. I cannot do life without Him and neither can you. He made us each an original and is always with each of us. It is mind-boggling, yet true. He is a good Savior to trust—because He is always faithful.