Amendment 26

When Anna and I started this blog two years ago, we wanted this to be a place where we could share what was going on in our lives and the various things God was placing on our hearts. We never intended this (and still don't) to be a controversial, confrontational, political, or anything of the sort type of blog. In fact, writing this post kinda makes me sweat a little because it's such a hot button issue right now. But at this particular time, the thing that weighs heavy on my heart just happens to be a very controversial topic.

Proverbs 31:8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."

If you have watched the news lately or been on facebook, you know that Amendment 26 has been the center of many stories, arguments, and disagreements. I should say, at this point, if you are reading this and are pro-choice, then we have a fundamental difference in beliefs. You will probably not agree with anything I say. I write this more for the "pro-life" proponents who are against this vote. To make it clear, the actual wording of what we are voting on is as follows:

"Initiative 26 would amend the Mississippi Constitution to define the word

'person' or 'persons', as those terms are used in Article III of the state constitution,

to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or the

functional equivalent thereof."

That's it. This particular vote is as simple as a matter of what you believe. When does life begin? Does it begin at the moment of conception? As a follower of Jesus Christ and a believer in the inerrant Word of God, I need to look no further than scripture itself to determine my vote.

Psalm 139:13 "For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb."

Psalm 139:15-16 "My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began."

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Isaiah 44:2 "This is what the Lord says-He who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you..."

Isaiah 44:24 "This is what the LORD says-your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb..."

It absolutely breaks my heart to hear friends, "pro-life" voters, and fellow followers of Christ believe the lies surrounding this issue. First of all, the vote is on how this amendment is worded. It is to protect the precious lives of unborn children, and that is it. This is not a vote to ban birth control or IVF. It is a vote to ban abortion....the murder of the voiceless and innocent. I am not naive to the possible repercussions to this amendment. I realize that some forms of birth control may eventually be affected. Do I believe that at any point Mississippi will actually do away with all birth control? No. I think that is HIGHLY unlikely. The forms that might come into question (dare I say?) should be questioned. As far as IVF goes, this is an industry that needs more regulation. This bill could change the methodology by which it is done. It might mean that fewer embryos are harvested, resulting in fewer and fewer unused embryos. Again, it is highly unlikely that IVF will ever be banned.

I have heard several arguments claiming this vote will criminalize mothers who miscarry. This is so utterly ridiculous that it does not deserve the dignity of a response. Another area of concern for several voters is abortion in cases of rape or incest. While situations like this are unimaginably difficult, truth does not change in hard circumstances. Please hear my heart...I am, in no way, being cavalier about the pain and difficulty of a woman faced with such. I cannot even begin to comprehend. But I do know that God alone is the giver and sustainer of life. And I fully believe that no child and no pregnancy is an accident. Even the times when it is so hard to understand, God still values that precious life.

I know have made several, albeit probably weak, arguments on reasons to vote yes. But for me personally, and anyone who is a child of God, the scripture is our final authority. And the Bible is very clear. God gives life, and He is the only one with the right to take it away. At the end of the day, if every single one of these arguments come to fruition, my vote will still be yes. God values life, and because of that, so should we. If we say we are pro-life, how can we not vote to save it? If you believe in the Word of God, then you believe life begins when you are "formless." There is not much shape to little person at conception, but God is "knitting him together" and "planning his days before a single one of them began." God alone knows what is going on inside of a womb. He alone sees it. He alone plans it. Who are we to say that life is not worthy?

Like I said before, if all birth control is banned and "unwanted" pregnancy rates soar, I will still answer to God alone for my vote. I will vote for what I know to be right, and trust our loving, good, and infinitely wise Father for the outcome. Isn't His plan always best? Because of that truth, we need not fear any possible repercussions from voting yes.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."