Pro-people in a Pro-choice World

With an emphasis on the sanctity of life throughout the month of January, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the “my body, my choice” mentality in our culture today.  

  All throughout Scripture children are described as a blessing and a gift from the Lord.  But as we are well aware, our culture considers children an inconvenience and all too often as “optional”. 

 I think it’s pretty clear as to where the Church stands on these matters in theory, but what about in practicality? Of course we don’t want that baby to be murdered, but is the Church a refuge for scared, single mothers that have made the choice to keep their unplanned, fatherless child? Or do they feel the weight of judgmental glances and whispered remarks? 

 Sanctity of life goes beyond unborn babies, it extends to those we encounter that have made poor choices, are in poverty, and even those that are just flat out different than us.

In 1 John, John not only speaks of the great love of the Father, but calls us as children of God to mirror that love one to another.  This love he speaks of is a visible, tangible love; not mere words and concepts. 

 

 “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

1 John 3:18 

May our actions match our stance on life. May our love go beyond our words. May we be “pro-people” and not just pro-life.

Let's Talk About Sex

Let’s be honest here.  The title peeked your curiosity, but we need to make this stuff clear, y’all.  We all know by now that the Bible teaches that sex is a good thing within the right context. That it is a unitive act that is intended to bring together (unite) husband and wife in closeness.  

We also know that the Bible commands us to actively practice and pursue purity. In fact, Jesus said when put in lustful situations, we are to remove and throw away whatever causes us to sin (see Matthew 5:27-28).  

But here’s the real point I want to make.  Sexual purity is not just about the physical acts, but about what happens in your heart.  Purity isn’t just about how you behave and react-it begins in your soul.  

Why is sex and sexual sin such a big deal? Well, beyond going against God and His Word (aka: sin), sex outside of the biblical boundaries of marriage is sinning against your own body (see 1 Corinthians 6:18).  

How are we to respond to such temptations?

1. Flee.  Seriously, get away from it. Make like Joseph in Potiphar’s house and literally run away from compromising situations (Genesis 39:11-12, 1 Corinthians 6:18). 
2. Have some self-control for crying out loud. We don’t have to gratify our every desire.
3.  Walk in obedience to God and His Word-the Bible says you will be blessed by doing so (James 1:25).

Jesus, in His grace, will give you the power to be faithful in the midst of aching desire.

Lackadaisical Obedience

There’s something about the beginning of a new year that seems to inspire us to do better; to grow and challenge ourselves.  At the beginning of 2017 I chose a word to dwell on throughout the year.  That word was “vision”. I selected this word based on the first half of Proverbs 29:18 which states “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (KJV).  We have a God-given purpose and vision and I wanted to spend the year striving to turn my eyes to the Lord and follow HIS plan rather than my own. 

For 2018, I have chosen the word “intentional”.  To be intentional simply means to do everything on purpose.  It is so easy to be lackadaisical in the various areas of our lives: our walk with the Lord, relationships, discipling others, etc. 

One of the best ways to sharpen yourself is to be intentional with others.  I challenge you to invest in others.  Sharpen one another. Encourage one another.  Be intentional in one another’s lives.

When we become internally focus and self-absorbed, we become blind to the needs of others.  Even at church it is easy to coast through services, events, and activities without even engaging with one another.  Let’s be honest, things are a lot less messy that way-but that’s not the Church.

I think James says it well.  “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22).  We can know what God asks of us, but, as James states, if we are hearers of the word, but not effectual doers, then we are like someone who looks at his natural face in a mirror, for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.

Let’s not forget what kind of people we are in 2018 and be intentional in doing what the Lord has called us to do. 

26 Things in my 26th Year

1.      It’s okay to say “no” to things, but don’t be selfish with your time. 

2.      You’re not right nearly as often as you think you are. 

3.      People matter more.

4.      Be generous with your “yeses”.

5.      Some people are only in your life for a season and that’s ok. (This was probably the most difficult one for me this year…I lost people that I thought would be in my life forever, but you know what?  My life is better because of it.  Some relationships are toxic and it’s totally okay to let go.)

6.      Give God the first fruits of everything.  Your time, your love, your money-everything.

7.      Sometimes (read “often”) God says no and you need to be okay with that; trusting that He knows what’s best. Because…..see the next point.

8.      God knows what’s best. Always. You can trust Him.

9.      Go the extra mile for those that wouldn’t do the same for you. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Every.  Time.

10.   Make purity a priority or you’ll begin to compromise in ways that you never thought you would.

11.   Be intentional.

12.   God doesn’t change, but you do.  Make sure you’re changing for the better.

13.   Seek peace and pursue it.

14.   You need people.  People that are older than you, pouring into and challenging you. People that are younger than you that you can invest in.  All kinds of people.

15.   You really can eat cake whenever you want and that’s pretty cool.

16.   What you say matters.  Words are powerful; use those powers for good.

17.   Be holy.  It’s an active, daily choice.

18.   Give back.  So many people have poured into me over the years, but it’s my turn to pour into others.

19.   Sabbath rest is a real thing and you desperately need to make time for it.

20.   Don’t pass up opportunities just because you don’t know how they’re going to turn out.  Regret feels worse than failure.

21.   Get over yourself.  For real.

22.   Don’t compromise your standards simply because people to do not meet your expectations.  Constantly lowering the bar is what’s led to the society before us today.

23.   You can’t control everything, but you can control your response/reaction to everything.

24.   Choose your words wisely.  If what you have to say isn’t fruitful then it’s probably not worth saying.

25.   One of the best things you can do in hard, difficult situations and circumstances is ask “how can this be redemptive?” and respond accordingly.

26.   Choose joy.