Watching the news and reading the headlines, we may feel
helpless seeing the heartbreaking lack of respect for human life. How do
we respond when our efforts seem small in the face of the culture of
death?
To understand more fully how to defend and protect human
life, we must first consider who we are, at the deepest level. God
creates us in his image and likeness, which means we are made to be in
loving relationship with him. Changing the culture is a process of
conversion that begins in our own hearts.
The knowledge and realization of how deeply we are loved by
God elicits a response of love that simultaneously draws us closer to
Him and, at the same time, impels us to share his love with others. As
Christians, our identity and our mission are two sides of the same coin;
like the apostles, we are called to be missionary disciples. This
doesn't necessarily mean quitting our jobs or moving to foreign
countries. For most of us, our mission field is daily life.
We often measure ourselves by false standards: by what and
how much we do, our successes or failures, how others treat us, the
degree of our pleasure or independence, etc. And when these changeable
substitutes prove to be insufficient, or when we are faced with
challenges and suffering, we may feel helpless, alone, or abandoned; we
may be tempted to think our lives have decreased value or worth.But
God's love--personal, real, unchanging--is the true source of our worth,
identity, and dignity. It really is not a question of who we are, but
rather whose we are.
When someone is facing great trials, we need to meet them
where they are, walk with them on their journey, intercede for them, and
be open to sharing Christ's love however he directs.
When a woman becomes pregnant, and her boyfriend threatens to
leave if she continues the pregnancy, we need to lovingly walk with
her. When parents of young children need a break, we need to consider
how we can help and act on it. When family members or friends become
seriously ill, we need to assure them that God still offers them
something in this life, and they still have purpose. We need to
consistently be with them every step of the way.
Our lives are often changed by the witness of others; so too,
others' lives may be changed by our witness and authentic friendship
with them. Sometimes our actions speak for themselves; other times,
words are needed. Whatever the situation, Jesus knows how to speak to
each person's heart; we simply need to follow where He leads.
Let us go, therefore, and not be afraid. God is always with us.
