If you falter in a time of trouble,
how small is your strength!
Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?

-Proverbs 24:10-12

I find it easier to keep my mouth shut. To enjoy the friendships I have with people who disagree with my “political view” that humans are human from conception to natural death. And I do enjoy those friendships! I have wonderful friends who’s opinions and beliefs differ vastly from my own. But occasionally I must speak. Yes, I can do much to rescue the unborn babies without involving those particular friends, but because I love them, I can’t hide from them. And because I do believe that even pro-choice individuals hope for less abortion. Not all, but most. And I envision us working together one day.

It seems the hardest part of protecting the unborn is admitting that I consider them worth protecting. I value their lives! What an unpopular statement! And yet, just saying the words is the first step. Because as soon as I uttered them out loud, I began to hear story after story, and I realized that I was not saving unknown children from far away but some of my closest friends!

Speaking, however, is not enough. Words can be very powerful, but haven’t we all seen what happens when one is made of only words? After the words are spoken, we must enter the mess. The not-so-tidy world where abortion seems the only option. When we reach the women, the men, the families who live in that place, what will we do? How will those dressed in Sunday best respond as we bring more and more broken and weary and angry and complicated people to the foot of the cross. What will happen when we surround ourselves with those others, and perhaps we ourselves, would rather ignore?

These questions do not have easy answers, and yet what joy will be found when we witness the birth of even one child who was headed for destruction! Let us throw away pointless selfishness and choose a life that honors the King. Jesus came to rescue the ones called scum. Let’s do the same.