Lessons Learned outside the Abortion Clinic part 3: We Have a Hard Privilege

Click here to see part 1 and here for part 2.

The third lesson I’ve been learning is that we have a hard privilege. 

In one sense, I don’t want to be there. I hate having to go out to a place where children are being torn limb from limb and vacuumed out of the place God designed for them to be kept safest. I hate seeing men and women stumble towards the slaughter of their own children and their own souls.  I'd rather not have to think about all that. It complicates life, and it adds sorrow.

In another sense, we count it a hard privilege that God has entrusted us with, and we want to be there.

This ministry is hard. Some days no one seems to listen to our heartfelt offers to walk alongside them. We get screamed at by people who seem to only be able to clearly annunciate their curse words and only able to wave with one finger pointed up. Perhaps the hardest aspect, though, is that we often have to be content not knowing the outcome for the children and men and women we speak for and to. Some take our packets, but what do they do? Sometimes we get the privilege of knowing, but often we don’t. We have to be content with sowing and not often getting to observe much visible fruit.

It is hard, but it is a privilege. As missionary CT Studd once said

“Some wish to stay within the sound of church or chapel bell. I'd rather run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.”

The door to the clinic seems to be a path to redeeming a person's life - what would be lost in pregnancy and child rearing can be regained by a short violent procedure against an innocent person. In reality, however, that is a door that leads to death. The Kingdom of Jesus calls out telling people that the path to life is to die to self, take up your cross and follow King Jesus who saves sinners. It looks like a death sentence... and it is. But, to die to self and gain a right relationship to God is truly life to the fullest.

We are ambassadors for Jesus’ Kingdom right outside the gates of hell. In my comfort loving flesh, I'd much rather live within the churchyard all day long (and there is much work to do in the churchyard). But in my soul, I know some of us must be doing Kingdom work on the frontlines.  We have the privilege of being part of God’s plan to rescue sinners. Every Christian has this responsibility and privilege wherever they are, but we sense it deeply outside the abortion clinic. Not only that, we have the privilege to be in situations where we sense our utter dependence on God. Again, every Christian (and person) is totally dependent on God for all things, but we feel our inadequacy deeply as we talk to distressed men and women. We know our weakness, but we remember that we have a powerful Savior. This has brought much growth in our own love and trust in the Lord. We believe it brings him glory. So, we thank God for this hard privilege.

Is This a Hard Privilege You Sense the Lord Leading You Towards?

If you would like to learn more about our church's ministry and consider coming out to the clinic to pray or call out, send me an email (ben@gcot.org). We could use some help. Only those who know they are inadequate need apply.