On the front page of this morning's Oregonian the main headline was 'Compromise on Abortion not sitting well.' I read the first few paragraphs, felt my stomach tightening and headed for the Sports pages to read about the Blazers. It seems we are all divided on the abortion issue. One of my former, God loving professors, who I like and respect, is pro-choice. I can't understand how people much wiser than me can be pro-choice, but there are millions.
Would there be this much controversy if we were talking about pandas or deer? Maybe there are instances when abortion can actually save the life of the mother. I don't know. I only know whenever, if ever, our intentions are good, there are always those who abuse.
I halfheartedly read about last night's Blazers win, and then, feeling helpless and depressed about this year's one million babies who will never know their mom or Dad, I took refuge in scripture. Earlier this morning I read my scheduled text for today, so I started on tomorrow's text, Jer 49-50. As soon as I read Milcom in verse one I was reminded that Milcom, the Ammonite form of Baal, was closely related to the Phoenician Baals; Melcart and Molech. Human sacrifices, especially children, were offered to these gods in worship.
God said this was something that never entered God's mind, so why did it enter the minds of ancient people and why does it enter the minds of modern people? Advertisers believe modern men and women worship the woman's body, so it is used to sell everything from houses to cars. Does this form of worship have anything to do with a woman's right to choose what to do with her body? The failure of many men to be the husbands and fathers God called us to be is certainly a factor, as well as modern economics and social pressures.
All of these things muddy up the waters and make things appear complex. I certainly believe we should go to the doctor when we are sick, but I find it puzzling that a person has to leave the country to choose an alternate form of cancer treatment, yet a woman can choose to abort her unborn child and doctor assisted suicide seems to be growing. On one hand we scorn life, but every day we hear of people who give their life to save a life. Do you not think we are strange?
Choosing to do things our way, thinking we have control of our own life, or in some circumstances, the life of another, is complicated. We aren't God, but in many ways we act like we are. Complication breeds compromise. Maybe things are a lot simpler than we think, but simple does not mean easy.
God did not give Jeremiah what he asked for. The people Jeremiah prayed for did not repent and return to God. Like Jeremiah, I wonder why God doesn't do something about a lot of the things I pray for, especially this open grave that never ends.
I do not understand us. Likewise I do not understand God's love and patience with me, as well as you. Whether or not my prayers are answered, I continue to see the reality of God's love, grace and forgiveness in my own life, as well as the lives of people I've known. That, and only that, is the source of my hope for me, as well as you.
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