Heartbreak in Chicago

We cannot close our eyes to the darkness of abortion.

The nature of the events which grieve me enough to sound the alarm for you are such that I should first say, this is not meant as a partisan post. In the context of our politics, I am a Republican because I am a conservative, but I am not that passionate about Republicanism to be honest. My passion is the Word of God and honoring Jesus Christ whom I follow as my Lord and King.

This is why the darkness which has descended on Chicago during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) compels me to raise my voice once again in protest. I am certain millions of followers of Jesus from all kinds of political persuasions share my grief.

I am, of course, talking about the horrendous news that Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion operation in the country, is providing free abortions at a mobile clinic they have set up near the DNC. Reports are that they have ended the life of 25 innocent babies so far.

To be clear, Planned Parenthood is not the DNC, it is a separate organization. But the DNC has made it a priority for many years to make sure Planned Parenthood receives tax payer funding, so it is no surprise that the pro-abortion organization strongly supports the Democrat Party. Apparently, providing free abortions is the way they thought they could best contribute to the convention this year.

The DNC should decry such barbarism. But, of course, they have not and will not. It goes against their values which is the problem. There is a symbiotic relationship that makes Planned Parenthood’s hideous plan appropriate for this occasion.

If I was throwing a party and invited you, you wouldn’t show up with cocaine for everyone. Even if that is the way you “party” personally, you know I am not that type of person. I would not appreciate it. I would certainly push back against it, as it is incongruent with my values.

Planned Parenthood’s move should provoke a similar reaction by DNC leadership, starting with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Certainly, it should be repulsive to every Christian involved with it. “Evangelicals for Harris” has been actively celebrating the convention activities but have shamefully remained silent on Planned Parenthood’s hellish move.

Abortion is a grave sin in our nation, akin to the grave sin of slavery. It will not go unpunished. There are consequences to our rebellion. It is why the reaction to reading this news is heartbreak. Pity is appropriate when anyone decides to position themselves against the Creator.

This is the way we read about it in the Scriptures. God dealt with child sacrifice among His people in Leviticus 20. He said, “Any one of the people of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech shall surely be put to death” (v. 2). He said, “I myself will set my face against that man,” (v.3). And he would do the same “if the people of the land do at all close their eyes to that man when he gives one of his children to Molech” (v.4).

We simply cannot close our eyes to the darkness of abortion. Sure, we do not sacrifice children to Molech in our day, but we have our own idols. The idols of autonomy and comfort and money and pleasure and avoiding suffering at all costs. The name of the idol is not the issue, our failure to trust the one true God for our future is the judgment we face. We prostitute ourselves by giving our minds and bodies to false ideas that leave us empty, anxious, and depressed, as much of our society is today.

Many of our people have lost their north. There is no up or down, left or right, front or back any more. They are falling in every direction and giving their energy and their very lives to the Spirit of the Age, whatever that is at any given moment. Emotionalism has trumped reason, and deception rules the day. “Reproductive Justice means free Palestine,” reads one slogan of a highly energized group raising its voice at the DNC this week.

This is not a DNC issue per se. Illinois sees around 56,457 abortions a year. That’s about 155 a day. More than six every hour of every day. The sin of abortion overwhelms us. It’s common. But this stunt, perhaps done to “troll” conservatives, should still grieve us. We should never let our heart get so cold and indifferent that we just take these escalating moves of increasing darkness as no big deal. We must lift our candles ever higher that others may see the light and perhaps make their way back.

Here I lift mine.