Embracing Life — Day 28

Chandra White-Cummings

Day 28: A More Excellent Way

Boy, I sure do love it when my daily experiences line up with the current 40 Days devotional. Technically, it lines up with my experience from last week, but close enough.

I and my prayer partner were at the abortion clinic when another individual became engaged in a heated debate with a woman coming out of the clinic. We didn’t hear everything that was said, but trust, they weren’t pronouncing God’s blessings on one another. My partner and I became uncomfortable. For one thing, neither of us particularly likes loud confrontation. For another thing, the argument was a distraction to our praying. After a couple of minutes the argument became more intense, and some other people went over to sort of stand watch over the situation, presumably to make sure it didn’t get out of hand.

I and my partner started to pray about the situation. We prayed that the woman we know who was involved in the altercation would show God’s love and compassion. We prayed that the other woman would not be deceived about the choice she was making, and that the confrontation she was now involved in would not forever taint her opinion of pro-life people. Eventually, the woman who had come out of the clinic left. But we still felt uneasy about what happened.

Sometimes it’s so hard to find the proper approach when attempting to engage others in discussions about abortion or any issue about which we feel passionately. Should we be forceful with a don’t-back-down-under-any-circumstances attitude? Should we not say anything and just “let our life be our witness”? It can be a tough call. I try to think of how Jesus responded in various situations. When exposing the Pharisees’ twisted logic and deceptive schemes, he was certainly no wimp. Calling a group of people a brood of vipers would certainly raise the ire of any political, ethnic, or religious group today. But then I see how gentle–but truthful–he was with the woman at the well, and the woman dragged from an adulterous tryst. Then again I remember God’s instructions to us in 1 Peter to be gentle and respectful when explaining to others why we hope in Christ and His truth.

It’s a lot to think about. And pray about. I’ll end with one to start us off as we consider how to best represent Jesus as we contend for the faith:

Heavenly Father, may we reflect your character of grace and kindness to those who hate us and curse us. Guard our hearts and our tongues as we respond in love to words and actions meant to rile us or cause us harm. Let others see the Hope that is Christ in all we say and do. In His precious name we pray, amen. –Carmen Pate, co-host, “Point of View” Radio Talk Show

Find out more at the 40 Days for Life website.

Embracing Life — Day 28

Day 28: A More Excellent Way

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