By: The Rev. Peggy Means
At this year’s March for Life, there were a group of protesters wearing white paper jump suits with red dye spattered in some strategic places. Their message was that if abortion were not legal and available, women would seek them out illegally. And illegal abortion would result in serious complications including the possibility of death. Seeing these people in their bright white spattered with crimson red was a bit startling at first sight. However, as soon as I realized we were arriving at the place where testimonies would be given, I wept with joy, knowing that the contrast of colors I just saw represented the before and after of our own lives.
The prophet Isaiah brought a message of both judgment and hope to the nation of Israel. Just like the Israelites, we retreat from any situations where we might be judged. Abortion is one of those situations. It’s a sin of silence, a scarlet letter on our chests that says I am not only an adulterer (or promiscuous or a rape victim), I am also a murderer! We suddenly become the women caught in adultery, dragged out to an angry crowd, horrified at the thought of being stoned to death. Women and men who carry the shame and guilt of abortion struggle with the idea of being “white as snow”.
Forgiveness is not an isolated act. It always involves at least two parties and may often involve more. With the sin of abortion, the Lord is always one of those parties. We chose to take the life on an unborn baby, one created in the image and likeness of God Himself. No matter who else may be involved (and, yes, there are always others affected by this decision) abortion always drives a wedge between us and our Creator. It’s this wedge in our relationship that eventually drives us to this place of silence and guilt and shame. It’s this wedge that leads us to poor decisions and repetitive behavior, further complicating the bound up burden we are already carrying. Isaiah brings us the Lord’s message of hope–though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow. This is why I could weep with joy.
Taking a life, through abortion or euthanasia, covers us with the crimson stain of sin. But the shed blood of Jesus Christ empowers us to break the silence and brightly shine as white as snow.