FIRST GLIMPSE: Standing for All of Life

Swish!

The bottle whizzed past my ear and shattered on the telephone pole behind me, showering me with shards of dripping glass. Instinctively, I ducked, as though another perfectly thrown missile would bounce off my noggin instead.

Though I had endured the occasional verbal abuse during pro-life marches and rallies, that moment more than three decades ago marked the first physical threat. Later that night, wide awake in my dorm room bunkbed, I pondered the reality that standing for life might carry serious consequences. I also decided it was worth it.

It still is.

However, as I near the mid-century mark, my understanding of what it means to be “pro-life” has changed. Don’t misunderstand. My defense of unborn children has not changed. I believe every child, no matter the circumstances, is a gift from God (Psalm 139:15-16; Psalm 51:5), a human being from the moment of conception, and precious in God’s eyes. I stand for life.

But my pro-life stance has expanded. I have come to understand life continues beyond the womb. People don’t stop being precious to God when they leave the maternity ward. Or when they endure horrible childhood circumstances. Or when they make mistakes that lead to prison or back to a maternity ward. Or when they throw bottles. Even the lives of those who perform abortions—as hard as it is for me to understand—are precious to God.

So, what does it mean to stand for life in 2022?

Start with Scripture. Dive into what the Bible says about life, where it starts, and how much God cares about every life. As a Christian, let His Word dictate your convictions rather than pop culture, political voices (left or right), or your own, sometimes difficult, circumstances. God’s Word is
our guide.

Fight for unborn children. How?

• Pray. For leaders and decision makers. For moms in desperate situations.
  

• Vote...including local and state elections. The legal battles over abortion are in the hands of the state courts. No election is unimportant, and, at this crucial moment, your vote literally may be a matter of life or death.
  

• Support parents. The decision not to abort is always right, but that does not mean it is always easy. For some mothers, abortion may seem the only option. Give them a better way. Partner with crisis pregnancy centers, adoption centers, and organizations working with incarcerated moms. Put fostering and adoption in the church budget. Get involved in community programs to help struggling families. The concerned response of the church should demonstrate we stand for life, not against those who have abortions.
  

Stand for life beyond the womb. Embrace the biblical mandate to help the poor and marginalized. Mentor young people from every walk of life. Be concerned about your own health because your life is also a gift to be treasured. Prisoners, elders, addicts, the homeless—the list is endless.

It is a broken world where life seems cheap. But we serve a God who sees every life as precious, so much that He gave His own life to save them. How can we do less?

I stand for life. I hope you will stand with me.

About the Columnist: Eric K. Thomsen is managing editor of ONE Magazine.