Talk About It...!

July 01, 2005

Do you want to see more churches begin abortion recovery programs? Me too! One easy way to do that is to begin with your church. Talk about how abortion has affected your life and the lives of those around you. Talk to your pastor. Talk to your women's ministry leader. Talk to the counselors on staff at your church (if you have any). Talk to your friends. Talk to your neighbors. Talk about it every chance you get!

I know, it's not an easy topic to discuss, especially with people whose views you may not be aware of...views that may be harsh or judgmental or indifferent. You aren't sure where they will go in their response. You're not sure how you will respond if they are...um...unkind, or worse, obstinately opinionated. ;) But as I have begun learning, God reveals His strength most beautifully in my weakness. He takes an uncomfortable mire and transforms it into ministry. He takes the bricks of confrontation and builds a bridge. And yes, sometimes He allows us to fall face-down into a puddle of humiliation, but even then He is working, always working to complete His purposes and to bring glory to Himself. (And that, my friends, is what we are here for!)

If you want others to be able to find hope and healing through Jesus Christ at your church, start by talking about it. You never know how many -- or whose -- lives will be transformed because of those conversations.

"I, the LORD, am your God...
Open your mouth wide and I will fill it." Psalm 81:10 NASB

Posted by mary at July 1, 2005 10:39 PM

Comments

I thought about this because I don't belong to a group or religious entiy of any kind. Would I want churchs to have more post abortive healing? Would it matter? At first I thought this has nothing to do with me because I have little to do with any church. But the more I think about it.... it seem to me that besides TV, religion and regilous entities are some of the biggest influnces in our socity, churches have created and made changes in thousands of ways. If we could get more people to talk in their church about their hurt and pain then perhaps then we could get down to actually talking about how to stop it. If we could only be trusted to be loving and kind with peoples secrets, then perhaps the need for secrets would disapper. Then we can start dealing with why it is happening.

P.S is the securty code thing working for you because I have a friend who is having some serious problems...

Posted by: achromic | July 5, 2005 09:30 PM

You are so right, achromic. Churches can and do have an enormous impact on our communities, and they should be the safest places to share our hurts. We do have some distance to go in that area, though there are many people working toward that very goal!

You also brought up a very valid point about secrets.... A very popular quote says, "The power is in the secret." And that is so true. Secrets are destructive. They promise protection, but only segregate us from the very sources that are available to help us. As we (in the church) become more trustworthy, I pray more people will feel free to share the secrets that keep them bound by pain, and find freedom and healing as a result.

Thanks so much for your thoughts, and for sharing them here at In Our Midst. :)

Blessings!
mary (mac)

PS: The security code seems to be working for me... Have your friend email me at staff@inourmidst.com directly and describe the problem she's having. I will then talk with my webmaster to see how we can help her. :)

Posted by: mary comm | July 5, 2005 11:27 PM