What Next?

The last few years have felt a lot like a pressure cooker, with many ingredients coming together to create the perfect storm. With every new major event, the pressure has been building one degree at a time (elections, injustices, pandemics, mass shootings, trials, etc…).

In my world, the day Roe v. Wade was overturned was when the pressure valve was finally released. Initially, I watched angry, hot words spew out from all sides and my heart broke. Little compassion, little grace and definitely little representation of the heart of God was displayed. It is very strange to sit in a space where you are celebrating and grieving all at the same time. Let me explain…

Working in this field has been messy, lately. No conversation about any aspect of abortion feels safe. I’ve been approached by those fishing for my opinion, those who want to know INFG’s position, those who are angry and hostile, and those who are confused and scared. When you work in a space that focuses on grace, you are rarely going to have a circle of people who all think and feel the way you do. You find yourself in a very precarious position, wanting to represent Jesus and His truth, to lean in and listen to those who disagree, and to remain a safe and compassionate place for ALL who need healing and help.

There are multiple accounts of when Jesus cleansed the temple and in Luke 19 it says:
And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.” And he was teaching daily in the temple.

Jesus was not above righteous anger, He saw something that was being done grievously against the heart of God and did what it took to correct it. However, He did not post hostile and gloating rants on social media and He most definitely did not run victory laps around those who disagreed with Him. He understood their anger came from a great source of pain. His example was that He went right back to doing what He was already doing; loving, caring for, and teaching those in need of hope.

What next?

So, I challenge us all. While it’s appropriate to feel a sense of joy that many in society are starting to understand the devastation of abortion on the unborn and in the lives of their parents, let’s get back to doing what we should have already been doing. Let’s meet people where they are, build loving relationships so that truth can be received, and be willing to walk the long, complicated and often dirty road of healing so that they can experience what we already have; the unfailing love and forgiveness of God.

–Renae Kitchin, Executive Director | For invo visit: If Not For Grace Ministries