A Battle Worth Fighting

 

For more than 25 years, I have been fighting for the lives of the unborn in any way that I can. It seems inconceivable to me that some people do not value the lives of the unborn. I realize this is a battle in which powerful forces are involved, including government, media, academia, corporations, and men and women who seek their convenience. On the other side are people who see abortion as simply a matter of choice. Their question is, “What right does anyone have to tell me what to  do with my life?” Our question is, “What right do we have to take an innocent life?”

Over these past 25 years, I have heard arguments such as it is not really a life but just a clump of cells, but that has been debunked since we know the little hearts start beating at one month.

Another argument is that this life would be better off ending now than facing the world that awaits it. That is debunked with the truth that there are people ready and willing to adopt babies given the chance. Language is critical to the abortion industry. In fact, the word abortion is never mentioned. Instead, women’s reproductive health care is substituted. Murder or killing of the fetus or baby is not said but rather a termination of the pregnancy.

There are many more reasons given to support abortion, but what changes everything is to consider that this is a moral issue. If there is a creator, God, who created all of us and is still creating through the process of the birth of a child, then we recognize this act of creation as sacred and not to be interfered with.

Even if we concede, and I do that when the life of the mother is at risk, then the mother’s life must be given priority. The morality of life is what answers the question of those who believe that life is sacred and no one has the right to take the life of another innocent person.

Spiritual Growth

 

Life continually brings change to every human being on the planet. That’s because that is what life is. We change physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually as we grow. Change is happening whether we realize it or not, whether we want it or not. Adapting in a positive way to change is essential for spiritual growth. Change is not easy, and we often resist it because we are more comfortable with the old—with what we are familiar with. But, like water that runs under the bridge, the old cannot stay, and the new will come whether we want it or not. One of the most important goals in life for the believer is to mature and grow up. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that we will grow and mature by speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15).

Maturity takes us to noble and inspiring places, but the journey is always challenging and sometimes arduous. Occasionally, we dig our heels in, refuse to grow up, and make the necessary changes. When we do that, we suffer for it by preventing the growth that will make us more fulfilled.

We are petty if we refuse to grow and allow immaturity to control us. We react in petty ways and struggle with resentment, often exhibiting anger. But, when we grow, we deal with change and mature in the process. We let the petty things go and experience a far better version of life.

Learning to control our emotions when going through difficult circumstances and change is hard but essential. With every breakdown in self-control, we and others suffer the damage from our negative emotions. Likewise, we suffer from others’ lack of control.

My favorite word is the complete opposite of petty—it’s magnanimous. It means to show a lofty and courageous spirit. When we are resentful and refuse to understand why, we are usually being petty. When we can let go and move to better things, we are being magnanimous.” Petty means little and selfish, while magnanimous means big-hearted and generous.

Most often, the result of being magnanimous leads to redemption, our own and that of others. It involves forgiveness and allowing God’s grace to do its work.

boydbrooks.com