4. Why

Come now, let us reason together, you and I…..

Words are invisible entities used either for construction or destruction of faith, ideologies, plans, and people. Yes, Words have impact on the visible as well as the invisible world.

My Psychology 101 class was progressing per our schedule and class discussions brought out a myriad of strongly held beliefs. I was the quiet observer, mentally tracking who I agreed with and who I silently booed, content to yield my claim to the floor for the debaters. If I was called upon I would HAVE to answer. However, I chose not to volunteer my voice.

Then the fateful topic of abortion turned the tables quite literally for me and the calm, confident youth pastor I began to cheer on.

Our prof had us move our desks around to form an elongated U. Those of us at the base of this formation held that abortion was wrong at any stage of pregnancy. Go up on either side and those individuals believed that abortion was okay through the first 3 months. Advance still more and the next group Okayed abortion through 6 months of gestation. Finally, on the ends of the U we find a group who thought abortion was fine for the nine months in the womb. Mind boggling…..

It quickly became evident that our group of five pro-lifers formed the perfect focal point for the rest of the class. The debate for life was on.

I knew what I believed about the sanctity of life from womb to tomb. I would not be swayed. But don’t ask me to debate the other side. I get all knotted up inside and flustered with my words. I hadn’t developed my argument. I just knew what I knew.

But sometimes we have to use our words. And it was evident that David was well versed in his arguments. Poised. Ready for the counter attack. This was personal for him. His mother had gotten German measles when she was pregnant with him and her doctor advised abortion as a consideration. She couldn’t fathom taking her baby’s life just because it may come with hardships. Lo and behold she delivered a perfectly healthy baby boy.

Though David wasn’t the only one to speak for our side of the argument, his ability to process the rhetoric of other side and quickly form a thoughtful response pushed him forward as our spokesman.

Here was a man who engaged his opponents with grace and truth.
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After class I nervously approached David and thanked him for being our mouthpiece. He was able to say what I believed. This began a conversation that continued for a long time.
 
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

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