Each year since 1984, the third Sunday of January has been known as Sanctity of Life Sunday. I arrived at church today anticipating an inspiring sermon about the value of life, but, unfortunately, that was not the sermon offered at my church and, from what I hear, was not in many other churches. When Ronald Reagan signed his executive order in 1984 creating the observance of Sanctity of Life Day, he concluded the proclamation by stating: “I call upon the citizens of this blessed land to gather on that day in homes and places of worship to give thanks for the gift of life, and to reaffirm our commitment to the dignity of every human being and the sanctity of each human life.”
It used to be said the safest place for a baby was in its mother’s womb, but now it’s considered the most dangerous. Over the past 51 years, more than 63,000,000 abortions have been performed in the United States alone (four times the population of New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston combined).
Abortion supporters in the early ‘70’s claimed legalizing abortion would produce only children who were wanted and loved and that child abuse would cease to exist. Sadly, the exact opposite occurred. Statistics indicate child abuse has risen by over 500% since the late 1970’s. Abortion creates many life-threatening problems for mothers, fathers, and the entire family … among them depression, suicide, drug and alcohol addiction. The emotional and psychological pain that can come with abortion can be so overwhelming, people will go to any lengths to numb the pain any way they can.
Mother Theresa once said, “A nation that kills its own in the womb has lost its soul.” Mother Theresa was right … for decades since abortion on demand became the law of this land, it seems America has lost its soul. The issue of when life begins and when it ends now extends not only to the pre-born, but to all stages of life. However, I still have faith that together we can turn this nation’s culture of death back to a culture of life.
What is required is a heart change in America. We cannot rely on someone else to change our culture. Until everyone, you and me, all political leanings, from every geographic location, boldly stand for life from the womb to the tomb, we will continue to see further devaluation of life on every front.
To make your stand for life, consider these points:
- It’s not enough just to say you’re pro-life. Make your actions speak louder than words.
- Do your homework. Don’t be swayed by opinions or politics. Find out the truth about all life issues from experts.
- Get involved with life advocating organizations on a national and state level. They need your support and boots on the ground. There are groups for all ages.
- Strong pro-life legislators need to be elected in every community, state and federal position. Check them out, elect them, then hold them accountable.
- Work with churches in your community to create ways to support life.
- Ask your pastor to speak from the pulpit about life issues.
- Embrace and support the one in three women (and men) in your midst who have had an abortion in their past through an abortion recovery group. They need love, not judgment.
- Volunteer at a local crisis pregnancy center. You’ll be saving babies from abortion, and saving families, too.
- Support organizations that advocate adoption.
How many of us stare at horrible pictures of death with mouths gaping wondering, “How in the world is this kind of inhumanity possible?” We convince ourselves that we would never do such a thing. We would be different. We would say something. We would fight back. Yet how many of us turn away from discussions because the subject is too horrific, or turn to another channel, or convince ourselves this can’t be happening here? Throughout history, evil prevails when good men and women do nothing.
Frank Stephens, an American disability advocate, actor and athlete, who has Downs Syndrome, once said: “I don’t want to make abortion illegal … I want a world where abortion is unthinkable.” That’s a lot of wisdom from someone who, if living elsewhere, could have easily been aborted.
Isaiah 44:24 says, “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: ‘I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself.’”
Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@gmail.com.
Tagged: abortion recovery, addiction and recovery, Christians in culture, church, pro-life
