There’s much to celebrate right now, but also much work to be done on many justice fronts. Readers have voiced hopelessness and frustration to me rooted in the topic everyone has an opinion on –abortion. It’s a horrible reality we shouldn’t look away from. But often the Christian gaze is fixed on the effect instead of the cause. And when we yell at the end result, it doesn’t help change those struggling in the middle. So how can we as pro-life Christians, lead the way to change while living under a pro-choice administration? I hope this shows you how much power you’ll always have…
YOUR MOUTH WORKS FOR CHANGE WHERE YOUR FEET MAY NEVER GO:
“And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Luke 18:7-8
Every woman who has felt abortion was the best option matters to Jesus.
He saw her whole life, the way men abused and used her. The poverty or pain that led her there. The judgmental stares and unmerciful attitudes. The true enemy whispering lies of insecurity and fear in her heart. Her youth and no trusted adults to guide her. Her identity in everything other than His love. And few or no prayers for her. And I believe Jesus has intense mercy, love, and grief for each woman.
We want justice for babies, but it starts with justice for their mothers. And justice for their mothers starts with daily repentant prayer that we haven’t shown up for her in ways Jesus has asked us to love the outcast in Scripture. Me included. But that stops now. God invites us to partner with Him in prayer and His work powerfully moves in people’s hearts we may never personally know. Can you imagine if we all prayed for abortion vulnerable women for 30 days?!
*ACTION PLAN: Commit to 30 DAYS OF PRAYER for ABORTION VULNERABLE WOMEN. (see below) I’ve made it easy with prompts, you do the work believing your mouth is powerful in prayer.
GOD CAN USE YOUR RESOURCES FOR CHANGE:
“And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42 ESV
The people on the front lines of love and justice need money to support vulnerable women. I’ve volunteered at low income housing projects for women, helping teach them how to peel carrots for freezer meals and sitting in awe of their stories during Bible study. These are Jesus’s people and they need support. And the people working with them need support and funds.
There are problems galore in the system, but there are lights of hope in individual stories of healing. God is working with or without us, but from the Scripture above, it seems He’d like us to be all in. If we truly are passionate about the issue of abortion beyond simply our opinion, why not invest in the solution?
*Action plan: Search for women’s shelters and pro-adoption clinics in your city. Give boldly to these projects this year as God instructs. If there are none, perhaps you are who God wants to use to start one! Here’s one doing great things in my community…Assure Women’s Center.
YOUR TIME IS POWERFUL:
“Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37 ESV
Can you mentor young girls so they have a trusted adult before they even hit puberty? Can you sit with a young woman at a Christian pregnancy center while she waits for her ultrasound appointment so she’s not so afraid? Can you spend time having important conversations with your children about how to be a friend to the friendless? Can you volunteer at women’s shelters so they can have a break from motherhood and attend Bible study? There’s always SOMETHING you can DO! And that’s powerful.
When the problem seems so much bigger than one person’s abilities, I always remember I personally can help ONE PERSON. I struggle with getting out of my comfort zone and heck we’re in a pandemic. My initial response is to make excuses as to why I can’t. But, if God’s put it on our hearts then obedience brings fruit, not failure.
ACTION PLAN: Choose one of the above mentioned ideas to spend your time serving the invisible in your community.
Friends, we are only powerless if we are loveless. May you and I love in action and deeds, flowing Jesus’s mercy and love at all times, through all generations, so we may see God’s work lighting up our communities. AMEN!
If you read this far that means we’re two peas in a pod. Jot your email down to GET this month’s from ME to YOU freebie…and so I can connect with you more! We’re in this together!
Andrea Chatelain’s mission is to meet women in their struggles and love them forward with God’s truth. She’s a Midwest mom of three, faith and family writer, and college English instructor to immigrants and refugees. She believes Jesus transforms lives when His people boldly seek Him. Her writing reflects her love for Jesus and heart for fellow believers.
Grow in faith with Andrea’s video Devotionals on Our Daily Bread! Or follow her on Facebook/Instagram.
Andrea Chatelain 