My sister sent me a link to a post by Rachel Held Evans this past weekend. A post about abortion.

Interestingly, I was in the midst of preparing a talk from Psalm 139. The Psalm that says things like, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” (v. 13) So, I was compelled to join in the conversation, even though approaching the subject publicly scares me near speechless. OK, not speechless.

I typically don’t get involved in such controversial issues. But in the wake of Gosnell’s verdict from last week — and the horrific details of his case — it seems the ground is ripe for discussion.

I don’t expect this little blog post to have any real effect on the world. I mean, I’m just a girl with a keyboard in a tiny sliver of cyberspace. But, I have a deep love for my Maker and a longing to see truth invade our moments. So…I write.

I know that abortion is a complex, multi-faceted, heart-wrenching, emotion-stirring topic. But I have a couple of things to say to my fellow Christian pro-lifers.

My starting place is God’s word. And if that’s where I begin, then it’s impossible for me to read passages in the Bible like Psalm 139 and come to any other conclusion. I’m pro-life for one reason.

God.

He made and continues to make life. It’s beauty. And simply because of life’s origin, it’s of great value. He forms, creates, fashions, and embroiders each and every soul while it is in the mother’s womb. He knows the strengths that will develop in each being and He knows the weaknesses that He will allow — allowed so that we would learn to depend upon Him and His matchless grace.

So yes, I’m pro-life.

But I’m also pro-grace.

And pro-love.

And pro-mercy.

And pro-forgiveness.

And pro…Jesus.

Not pro-condemnation.

Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Luke 6:37

It pains me to hear some of my fellow Christ-followers speaking condemnation words over those who have had an abortion or over those thinking that it is their only choice. I can’t help but envision the scene when the religious elite brought the adulterous woman to Jesus in search of justification to stone her.

Jesus, quiet, bends down and writes in the sand. Then He says, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7) No one could throw their rock.

What honors and reflects Him is love. Love. Truth, yes. Life, absolutely. But may we be a soft place for people to land. I pray that mercy would cleanse our words and grace would define our tone. I pray we’d put down the picket signs and pointed fingers, and instead raise the banner of love to whole new high.

I’m not exactly sure what love looks like in a tangible sense when it comes to abortion, except that it begins with respectful conversation. It errs on the side of grace. And it desires healing rather than proving a point or winning an argument.

Yes, I’m pro-life, but I’m definitely not pro-condemnation.

 
Fill me, Lord…

I really want to know, how do you think love looks when it comes to this tender topic?
 

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“Hey John, did you hear what Peter said last night when we were collecting all the leftovers from the big, fish-and-bread feast? I mean, what’s His deal? Who does he think he is?”

Yeah. I’m thinking that never happened. Because Jesus didn’t gossip.

But the church — those of us supposedly following in our Lord’s footsteps — we gossip. We may veil it in prayer requests, nestled neat between a few “bless her heart” statements. But let’s be honest. It’s gossip.

Almost anytime that we slander another or talk negative about what they should do or what they did do, we speak out of the need to boost our own insecure ego. We say things about others so that we, in our own fallen state, will look better. Smarter. Wiser. But do you know what’s at the root? Fear.

We fear not measuring up. We fear rejection. We fear what others think about us. But doing anything out of fear — other than fear of The Lord — will always and forever lead us astray.

Don’t hear me pointing fingers. I’m just as guilty as the next girl, saying something I later regretted. But gossip does grieve my spirit — when I do it and when others do it. Especially when we gossip about those we’re instructed to love and uphold and encourage — like our brothers and sisters in the church.

Who are we to judge? Who are we to discern the intents of the heart? In Christ, you and I stand under so much grace, it’s ridiculously scandalous. Yet in our pride we think we can point the finger and say how someone else’s journey should look.

It’s devastating to fellowship.

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:1-2

A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
Proverbs 16:28

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
Proverbs 11:13

I’m pretty sure the call on us is to pour out grace. Yes, there’s a place for holding others accountable if we see them falling into pits of sin. But gossip doesn’t hold someone accountable. Gossip rips them and their reputation apart.

I pray today, as I often pray, that God would put a guard over my mouth. That I would be slow to speak and quick to listen. That I would honor Him and bless others with the words I speak. And when I fail, I pray that the people beside me give me grace. And I praise Him that He never forsakes, always forgives, and continues to sanctify.

Glad I got that out.

 
Fill me, Lord…

How have you seen gossip destroy others?
 

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