I watched the handmade posters rise and fall in militant style, back and forth then back again. The judgement and condemnation dripping from the words both spoken and written, the tone of the message emphasized by the emboldened exclamation points.
And as a white SUV pulled into the drive, the chanting turned to yelling, the signs were pressed to windows. The small crowd like vultures on prey.
My heart broke that day for the woman in the white SUV. I can only imagine the wrestling of emotions, guilt and condemnation she was experiencing internally as she arrived at the abortion clinic. And then to meet a group of strangers who didn’t care to know her story, her struggle, her situation.
Strangers who were protesting to save the heartbeat and breath of one life at the expense of the humanity of another life.
I can only assume that this group of protestors had good intentions for the good cause of saving lives. However, what I noticed from my vantage point, (stuck in traffic with a perfect view of the clinic), was that their deep belief in the cause was blinding them from loving the life right in front of them. Loving people does not require us to condone their every behavior, action and choice, but in doing so I believe we will see real change in our world and in ourselves.
The thing cannot be elevated above the person. This happens on both sides, in every area, people being exposed to fuel a cause or acknowledged only when there’s need for a vote.
Looking to Jesus
It’s so easy for us to focus on the sin being committed, the wrong being done. We’re not alone.
John 8:2-11 recounts the story of the woman caught in adultery. The pharisees were concerned about the sin of the woman, and according to the law of Moses her sin was punishable by stoning. In hopes of trapping Jesus, the pharisees asked Jesus what should be done. They were certain that there were only two viable choices: either Jesus would condone the killing of the woman; or he would disobey the law of Moses.
But, Jesus had another option in mind.
Jesus suggested that the person with no sin should throw the first stone, which we all know would only qualify Jesus himself. And then, stooping down, which I always picture as a beautiful covering of protection over the woman, Jesus began to write in the sand. Perhaps he was writing individual sins, maybe even the names of the mistresses of the pharisees, but whatever Jesus wrote was convicting and the oldest pharisees led the way in their departure of the scene.
What is perhaps the most beautiful part of this story is that Jesus does not give a long speech expressing his disappointment in the woman’s behavior, diminish her with condescension, or shame her in any way once the pharisees left. He simply commissions her go and sin no more.
When Jesus stood up, he said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Lord.” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” -John 8:10-11
Jesus was far more concerned about the woman than the sin, but he loved the woman too much to let her continue on in her sin. He acknowledged and addressed the woman, (person), before the sin (issue, cause, thing).
Behind every issue for which we fight, stand the people we should be loving.
Yes, there are issues that involve force, and perhaps even war, (terrorism, human trafficking), but may we never feel more strongly about the thing we’re fighting than we do for the very ones we’re fighting for.
People should be our main concern.
Jesus never gave us permission to hate anyone, no matter how despicable their actions. In fact, even for our enemies we are told to offer prayer (Matt 5:44).
“The most important [command] is Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.
It’s never about the issues, friends, it’s always about loving people.