I’ve spent the past twelve hours or so alternating between ignoring God and arguing with him. The last time I felt called to write a blog post that I did NOT want to write was over four years ago, and only seven months after Dale’s death. It was a topic I couldn’t ignore despite my best efforts. If you’d like, read about it here – “Depression, Grieving…and Medication.”
This morning (Friday, June 24th), the United States Supreme Court took a decisive step to overturn Roe v. Wade, by declaring that it is not a constitutional right. The ramifications of this are monumental, on both sides of the issue. And it is not my intention to stir up trouble amongst my friends and blog followers. In fact, I generally avoid politically hot topics because I don’t believe that’s what I’m called to address in this space.
But despite my best efforts … again, and despite my attempt at artificially pulling a different topic out of God’s divine rabbit hat (no disrespect intended), I can’t shake his strong leading that I must address this topic.
This will not, however, be a post that extols the virtues of one position over another. While I will strongly defend my position, when necessary, I am not trying to change minds today. We’ve had nearly 50 years of discourse on this topic with both sides passionately arguing their position. I will NOT be joining that discussion today.
Instead I want to look at this in the context of one of the most important aspects of helping someone through their pain – validating it. God planted this idea in my head shortly after 9 a.m. last Friday morning and I’m going to trust him with the words I’ve prayerfully asked him to give me. So, here we go!
While my position on this issue isn’t central to this discussion, I want to transparently declare that I am decidedly Pro-Life, and have been for decades. For those of you not in agreement with that, I humbly ask you to read the remainder of this blog post.
As I said, I’m not here to debate the abortion issue. I’m here to share with you the heartache I feel even after a decision I am grateful for.
So yes, I rejoice over the babies whose lives will be spared because of this decision and the multi-layered ramifications of that throughout the country.
But my heart only landed there for a few moments before I was bombarded with emotions that tempered my joy.
This “rabbit trail” reminded me that, even if we believe our decision or position to be clear cut, the heartache and turmoil that remains must not be ignored or minimized.
I found myself thinking about the likelihood of violent clashes between both sides, with the risk of property damage or serious injury or even death resulting from these confrontations. And I grieved over how ugly this would become. We are already seeing signs of that, even in my own state.
My heart aches for the women who would be faced with even more difficult decisions as a result of today’s ruling. And I pondered what drastic steps they might take to deal with their circumstances. I can’t begin to envision all the myriad situations that women and their partners will now face, and what it will do to their lives.
If you are pro-life, you may wonder if I’ve lost my mind! I assure you, I have not. I strongly believe that life begins at conception and is always under the sovereign hand of a good and almighty God.
But let’s not be blind to the harsh realities that we will see played out before us in the weeks and months ahead.
As with grieving of any manner, I believe it must be validated. Real people will face real heartache and be called to make very real, difficult decisions.
How does God want us to interact with others who have a difference of opinion? Does he want us to pridefully throw this decision back in their faces? Does he want us to take an attitude of revenge or haughtiness or arrogance? Does he want us to lose friendships or develop strained relationships with others?
I don’t think so! He calls us to love each other, and not just those who share the same beliefs or opinions as we do. I think that’s one of the lessons God taught me through this pandemic. I’m not going to agree with everyone, but I don’t want Satan to win by causing discord where it need not be.
I talk often about joy and sorrow co-existing in this fallen world, always in the context of grieving a deep loss. But does this not also apply to the current environment in which we find ourselves? I know it’s exactly how I felt this morning. Yes, I am joyful over this ruling because of long-standing beliefs. But I am sincerely sorrowful over the potential for real damage in ways I can’t completely wrap my head around.
I may not agree with your position, but I hurt for how this affects your life.
May God help us to live harmoniously with others as we navigate these fresh, tumultuous waters.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 12:18