Unity

I was listening to a podcast the other day and the girl was sharing her life story. Her story was one of redemption. If someone looked at her life today, they would assume she was living the good life. What they wouldn’t see is the mountains she had to climb to get to this place.

Her story, like many of us, included a dark season. There was a moment in her life when she made the decision to have an abortion. Don’t stop reading. This isn’t a pro-life vs. pro-choice debate blog. This is a story of how we can love better.

In order to enter the abortion clinic, she had to walk past protesters. People lined the sidewalk in front of the clinic spewing all kinds of hate and nasty comments. They even attacked her car as she drove in. The protesters did not deter her from walking into the clinic and following through with the abortion. If anything, they pushed her deeper into that decision than changed her mind. Their hate-filled speech even propelled her roommate who drove her to the clinic to apply for a job there. She didn’t want other women to feel the way her friend did so she decided getting a job there would allow her to be a source of peace and comfort in such a tumultuous time.

I am all for protesting. We all have a voice and we all have a right to share that voice. But, I wonder how many of us are using our voice for good; for the betterment of others. I can’t believe shouting horrific things at another human being would do anything to change their mind. I often tell my boys: God gave us emotions. He wants us to feel. It is how we react to and express those emotions that matter. Same with our speech. We can either help or hinder the situation. The choice is ours.

I am studying the book of Ephesians. Paul is talking to the Ephesians about Jesus. In chapter 2, Paul talks about the division between the Jews and Gentiles (non-believers). These two people groups had a huge wall built between them. They did not mingle. They did not hang out. They did not like each other. They were vastly different. Then Jesus came onto the scene.

Jesus unified two people groups that never thought they’d cross the border onto each others’ sides. He unified those that were once divided. He brought peace and reconciliation where it never seemed possible. He took up their quarrels and brought them to an end.

When I think about this one girl’s story and read about how Jesus reconciled the Jews and the Gentiles to one another, I wonder why we are doing it so wrong. Why do we think shouting hate will change someone’s mind? Why we think our platform resides in hurtful messages.

I honestly believe that if Jesus were standing outside the abortion clinic, He would have walked up to this beautiful girl and given her a hug. I also believe that He would have walked her to her car after she went through with it. He didn’t come to divide and shout hateful messages. He came to love and give grace. We should, too.

For he himself is our peace; who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier. The dividing wall of hostility. Ephesians 2:14

Love & Blessings,

Meg