Wake Up, Rise Up, Speak Up!

I don't have much to say this week, so this should be brief.

What moves you? What brings you to tears? Is there anything that drives you to your knees and causes you to call on the name of the Lord as if your very life depends on it? Is there anything that just gets your blood boiling and makes you rise up and speak out? What compels you to act? How about the willful killing of 50 million children? That's approximately the number of unborn babies murdered in the womb since Roe vs. Wade legalized abortion 36 years ago yesterday.

If that doesn't do something to your heart, you might want to check to see if you actually have one. I am addressing this blog to Christians because I have something to say to us in particular.

I am completely mystified by God-fearing people who remain silent on the issue of abortion. It just doesn't seem to move some Christians. When faced with the truth of America's current pro-abortion agenda, they say nothing at all, or they offer weak and spineless responses that amount to quoting Scriptures like, "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" -Matthew 6:27 or "Have faith in God" -Mark 11:22.

These they say to relay the message that God does not want us to worry about anything, certainly not abortion. I will certainly not disagree with the Word of God, but I declare without reservation that not worrying does not mean not acting, and it certainly does not mean not having a heart.

Perhaps Jesus instructed His people not to worry in part because they would act, and when they took action, they could have faith that He would act with them. The "with" part implies that we do our part.

I have come to understand more than ever that God often does not override human will--or human unwillingness to take a stand. We are not to sit back, cross our legs, and do nothing, then expect God to show up on the scene to make it all right. This was never God's will for His people. This is not why He equipped us with His Spirit, power, favor, and anointing.

Where do you stand in all this? When emailed valuable information that begs you to send a letter to a politician, call your senator, or send a donation for some cause you profess to believe in, what has been your response? Chances are since the inauguration, you have received several emails about abortion and the President's radical commitment to it.

His position is no surprise, for if you did your homework prior to election day, you already knew that he intended to make some serious decisions concerning abortion, including causing you to pay for them. He has proven that he means what he says, as today he lifted the ban on federal funding for international groups that promote or perform abortions.

This ban was originally put in place by President Reagan, removed by President Clinton, put back in place by President Bush on his first day in office, and removed again today on President Obama's third day in office. (Notice a pattern? You're smart; figure it out). We cannot say that someone else's position on abortion is that person's business--or choice. No, it's your business because your tax dollars are paying for it.

It's bad enough that abortion has become acceptable in our society, but now Christians--who religiously, philosophically, and common sensically oppose it--will be funding it! This is the abortion bailout, people. This is the "change you can believe in". All I'm saying is rise up! Do something. At the very least, say something! Silence is consent. And this may seem very elementary, but I'm going to say it anyway: If you don't care enough to open your mouth or even click your mouse, much less get off your couch, shame on you!

Look, Jesus knew that God was in control, He knew He was not to worry, and He had faith that this world was not His home. But He still acted. He still called out the Pharisees, the hypocrites, the naysayers. He still laid hands on the sick, raised the dead, opened blinded eyes. He was not weak and anemic. He was not insensitive or cold-hearted. He did not cower to the status quo. No, He railed against it.

My prayer is that the Church would rise up and do as Jesus did: stand for righteousness and defend the defenseless. We would have no hope apart from the price that Jesus paid and the blood that He shed. It's high time we did our part. It's our moment to stand up and speak out against the bloodshed of millions of innocent babies who are being killed in the name of convenience.

I stress that we are not waging an attack on people, not even on President Obama--for we respect the office in which he stands--but we must stand for life, and we must make our voices heard. Jesus, as our example, declared, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." -John 10:10.

Now is the time that we, too, espouse that same passion. Our willingness to make a difference will put us in position to stop the senseless killing of those whom God loves, and will also put us in position to minister to those who have, at some point in their lives, terminated a pregnancy and are struggling with guilt, shame, and confusion. Get out there and help; you do have something to offer. It's called the love of God.

Christians, wake up, rise up, speak up! LOVE UP!

My sole motivation? The truth.