Reimagining Pro-Life: 30 Days With Save the Storksنموونە

HEART //

If you’ve resolved to put your faith into action, as yesterday’s verse (James 2:15–17) counsels all believers to do, then you’re probably asking yourself, “So, what’s next? How can I go on mission for Christ today?”

Today’s verses provide an answer fitting for all believers, on any day of the week. Even if you have little in your bank account, even if you’re running low on steam, you have the grand, life-giving privilege of bearing the burdens of others. Now, to the world, that statement is paradoxical. It’s downright crazy! Yet we know that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight” (1 Cor. 3:19), and so we cling to the truth that we find life when we give our lives away. 

The apostle Paul’s challenge here makes so much sense when we see ourselves as part of the Body of Christ. Whenever one part of the family of believers is suffering, the health of the whole Body is impacted! Jesus gives us insight into the reality and power of this image when He prays for us, for all believers, near the end of His life on earth in John 17:20-23. He emphasizes unity for all believers, in the same way that He and the Father are unified. If we take these words seriously, then carrying the burdens of our fellow believers (and those we hope will become believers!) is of utmost importance.

In a 1983 sermon on Galatians 6, pastor and author John Piper said, “Here is a vocation that will bring you more satisfaction than if you became a millionaire ten times over: Develop the extraordinary skill for detecting the burdens of others and devote yourself daily to making them lighter.” Now that is a special calling. 

Devoting ourselves daily to detecting and lessening the burdens of our brothers and sisters (literally, or in the Body of Christ) can be as simple as the classic example of walking an elderly person across the street with their groceries. But it can also mean looking for the deep, systemic flaws in the systems of our world and working toward lifting those burdens, in any way we can, and encouraging others to do the same. If we truly believe that spending ourselves on behalf of others — in obedience to Christ and in line with His perfect law of love (John 13:34-35) — is the path to everlasting joy, then any opportunity to see a need and meet it is a beautiful gift.

// WORK

Yesterday, you began to develop this extraordinary skill, stepping into a Spirit-filled calling, as you acknowledged the burdens (in your rock-writing) with which a woman considering an abortion contends. As you continue to empathize with her physically, carrying that heavy bag throughout our last week together, we pray that you would not become weary. Rather, ask God to open your eyes to the unique opportunities He has placed before you to bear the burdens of others.

We want to invite you to do one other thing today, and it’s going to be good. Make a plan to talk to a mature believer sometime this week. Make sure it’s someone whose counsel you trust! When you meet with him or her, ask that person about the ways that he or she lives out Galatians 6. Then, pray with that person, asking God to guide you both toward more and more opportunities to bear the burdens of others.  

Before you go, check out this short video of Thomas and Soo Kim. They are a beautiful example of mature believers who show us through their passion and story that there are so many ways to serve! They remind us that as followers of Christ, we believe that every child deserves life and a loving family. It is our duty and honor to carry the burdens of those who have had the opportunity to be born, but are suffering in a system still lacking that loving family.