Being Pro-Life

I was just thinking today, about what it means to me to be pro-life. I think sometimes people who call themselves pro-life care about protecting unborn children, but then the caring stops when those children are born. For me, it means so much more. I care about all of the innocent people in Iraq who are dying for a war that should never have started in the first place. I also care about the soldiers who are dying.

And those same soldiers who, when they come home, are not being given the care and help they need after their service to our country. Did you know that 1/4th of the homeless people in America are veterans? Does anybody care? I care, and it breaks my heart.

Jesus said, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40, NIV). This has been heavy on my heart lately, and I've wondered what I've been doing for the "least of these". What have I done when I've passed a homeless person on the street? What have I been doing for anybody?

If someone were to ask me if I'm pro-life, I would answer yes, right away. But am I? Have I been showing that I care for the lives of everyone, and not just the unborn? And in lieu of the upcoming Presidential election, as I look at the candidates, I must look at which of them are truly pro-life. Which of them really cares about the lives of all people? All of the people--not just Americans, unborn babies, the rich, the hard workers. Wouldn't it be awesome if, instead of negative campaign ads, traveling all over the place to give speeches, etc., a candidate made a small website that had this simple message:

"Instead of pouring millions of dollars into a campaign that will only be a benefit to myself, I am using all of my campaign money to help out AIDS afflicted Africa (or insert other charitable act here). That's the kind of person I am, and that's the kind of President I would be."

I would vote for that candidate in a heartbeat. And even with a small website, you can bet they'd still get the word out. Don't you think that would make the news? Wouldn't that definitely be in the spotlight? Are we wanting a President who is hungry for power, or one who is caring and compassionate, even to a fault?

The election is right on top of us. Is the candidate you plan to vote for pro-life at all levels? I don't know if any of the choices are, but we as American citizens need to make our voices heard that we care about the sanctity of life, not just of the unborn, but every single life.

Jesus didn't minister to the upper class, those who were hard workers, or those who helped themselves. He ministered to the sick, the poor, the needy, the sinners.

But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.
"But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:12-13, NASB)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10, NIV)