Lutherans for Life
“I Don’t Agree with What You Said …”
by Barbara Lane Geistfeld, DVM
For the last 45 years, Lutherans For Life has been committed to “equipping Lutherans and their neighbors to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life.” By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, we have never turned from the narrow path of speaking God’s Word—the truth—in love. Nor have we slackened our pace. In fact, we have expanded our ministry each year to reach more people with the Gospel of hope and healing. I became a part of this ministry seven years ago when I became the Regional Director of Texas. Now I have a new title: Assistant Director of Volunteer Relations, but my mission remains the same—to minister to Lutherans in the name of Jesus wher-ever the doors open for me.
A few months ago, I attended a convention as an exhibitor and speaker. Showing photos of fetal development from zygote to infant and using the Word of God to express the truth of our creation by God, by His will and for His purpose, I discussed life issues that may affect people of any age. Responses were positive and uplifting, and I was grateful and very pleased with the feedback.
But the Lord had something else in mind to teach me! As I was packing up my materials, a very nice woman came up to me and said, very calmly, “I don’t agree with what you said.” “Oh,” I said. “What part?” “All of it,” she replied. I tried to remain calm and spoke the only words that came to mind: “God’s Word tells us that life is sacred to Him. We are created by Him on purpose, and our days are in His hands.” We did not argue. We did not frown at each other. As she left, I told her that I would pray that God would change her heart as He had changed mine many years before. I am still praying that the power of God’s Word, spoken that day, will continue to pursue her. The promise is in Isaiah 55:11: “… so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
I wasn’t expecting her response, but I was not surprised by it. I have met many Christians who do not see abortion as the evil it is. They believe the lie that life is not sacred—that it belongs to the individual to do with as he or she pleases. As Christians, because we are still sinners, our deepest held beliefs may not be identical to those held by others in the Body of Christ. In fact, the Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:18-19: “… I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.”
As Christians, each one of us should be deeply steeped in God’s Word. That is where the truth lies. We don’t want to be “right” for our own sake so we can boast in our “right-ness.” We should want to be “right” because God is revealing His truth to us, and we have been aligned with His truth. As we labor together in the life arena, let each one of us be so grounded in God’s Word that we recog-nize God’s truth and speak it in love.
Lutherans for Life witnesses to the sanctity of human life through education based on the Word of God. It serves through individuals who volunteer at pregnancy care centers, with hospice, through prayer, and in a wide variety of caring activities. It educates and encourages through conferences and workshops, printed resources and newsletters, Life Sunday materials and Bible studies, curricula, video, and through the website www.lutheransforlife.org
