One of the many amazing blessings of leading 40 Days for Life is the opportunity to meet SO many wonderful, Christ-like and selfless fellow believers. It's almost a touch of heaven to meet so many new brothers and sisters - all with testimonies of God's faithfulness and goodness to share. All fully devoted to our Lord and Savior!
How amazing it has been to see those who love the unborn and their mothers so much that they are willing to step outside of their comfort zones and into the storm - literally, spiritually and emotionally. :-) Not only are these amazing folks willing to give of their time in prayer at home, but many have braved the frigid cold, the downpours, the snow and the wind to stand outside Planned Parenthood. They've stood fast, despite being reviled and ridiculed by the angry and hurting people driving or walking by. They've come out even when they don't feel like it. Broken toes and dialysis won't stop a couple of you!! (Laurie and Carl - thank you!!)
In dwelling on all of you inspiring people - it struck me the other day...
Why do we do all this? Or maybe, why CAN we do this?
Why CAN we love other people SO much - most of whom we've never met? Why can we love them enough to give of our time and our comfort to pray for them and stand-up for them? How CAN we love this way - returning kindness and compassion for ridicule and anger?
More personally - WHY can a naturally self-centered and comfort loving person like myself feel an overwhelming love and compassion for a blue-haired - nose pierced - backwards baseball cap teenage boy who walks out of PP and hands me a little pink sticker with the words "I STAND WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD."
WHY do I love this boy, and his girlfriend, enough to shed tears the entire 45 min. drive home; fervently praying for their salvation and well being? I couldn't get them out of my mind. My nose was running so much I started running out of dry arm space to rub it on. ;) I squinted hard trying to see through my teardrop covered glasses, sometimes driving by "braille" as my dad likes to call it.
Why do I care about them? Why do you care?
The only answer - the only reason why is because our Savior did the very same for me - and for you.
Only His sacrifice was far more astounding.
Even when He was reviled; He did not revile in return. Even while He was suffering; He uttered no threats. Even though He was abandoned by all; He never abandoned them in return. Even though He was unjustly judged and persecuted; He graciously forgave His persecutors. The Holy One who knew NO sin; bore the very thing He abhors - our sin - in HIS body. He payed the penalty that only I deserved to pay.
And He did all this for what reason?
So that we might DIE to sin, and LIVE to righteousness.
By His wounds we are healed.
"For what credit is there, if when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right, and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
For you have been called for this purpose; since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to the God who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed." (1 Peter 2:20-24)
Because of His sacrifice - we are free to serve. We are free from sin's power and penalty, and one day we will be free from it's presence. We are called for this purpose - to love and live by His example.
My new friend; blue haired - nose pierced - backwards baseball cap and all, needs Jesus. Just like I did. Just like you did. Just like we all continue to need His grace.
I wrote his name on the back of that little pink sticker, as a reminder to always pray for him and his precious petite girlfriend.
The amazing thing is; God wants to use us to reach him, his girlfriend and people just like them. Isn't it amazing that God CHOOSES to use our prayers for His purposes?
This poem was given to me by a dear friend whom I've had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know through 40 Days for Life. Mr. Taylor and His wife are one of the sweetest most Christ-like people I've ever met - and he recited this poem one rainy afternoon to me as we stood at PP. I will forever cherish it!
It goes like this:
How good is the God we adore,
Our faithful, unchangeable friend.
Whose love is as great as His power,
And knows neither measure nor end.
'Tis Jesus, the first and the Last,
Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home
We'll thank Him for all that is past,
And trust Him for all that's to come.
And trust Him
And trust Him
And trust Him
And trust Him
And trust Him for all that's to come.
Each of you have experienced the goodness of the God we adore - our faithful, unchangeable Friend. May we continue to thank Him for all that is past - and trust Him for all that's to come!
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Now for some pictures from the past couple weeks!
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