by Rev. Dr. Mary Susan Gast, Conference Minister, January, 2001
Monthly Reflections from The Pacific ~ News and Events of the NCNC United Church of Christ

CHOOSE LIFE

Words of encouragement and support for those ministering "in the fields."

The fourth week of January has marked a curious juxtapositioning of George W. Bush's inauguration, John Ashcroft's confirmation hearings, the anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision on Roe v. Wade, and President Bush's first-workday announcement that he would block U.S. financial aid to international family planning organizations which provide information on abortion. Predictably there have been widespread references to "rights," to religiously-based opposition to abortion, but very little has been said about the Biblical bases of "choice."

For those who claim Jewish-Christian heritage, the word "choice" thunders and roars and clamors for attention.

"Choose," says The Almighty. "Choose this day whom you will serve," Joshua challenges the people of Israel.

Once you have chosen, your whole life shifts. Once you have chosen, once you have oriented your heart and mind toward The Creator who lives and breathes life into human beings and restores life when we are deadened, all of your subsequent decisions, actions, and commitments will be made and directed by that tremendous choice to serve God.

Then what?

Well, the author of Deuteronomy assures us, "the commandment that I command you this day is not too extraordinary for you, it is not too far away!..Rather the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it." Just do it.

Serve God. Listen to the life-giving word that courses through your being with every heartbeat.

If the invitation comes to change jobs, go back to school, or take a refugee into your home, you look at your strengths and your lacks-physical, emotional, spiritual, economic. You look at your ongoing responsibilities-personal, interpersonal, family, community. You consult with those who need you, who love you, and who can give sound advice about the likely consequences of your actions.

As a society we have never passed legislation to require fathers or mothers, brothers or sisters to donate bone marrow or a kidney to a family member, even if such a donation is the only action that will keep the needy person alive. We do not intrude, although lives are at stake. Instead, we assume that the potential donor will weigh the action and make a responsible choice. And we offer support no matter what the decision. Not so, though, when the "donation" is 9 months during which nausea, exhaustion, discomfort, substantial weight gain, absence from work, and mood swings are expectable, serious health complications are possible, culminating in the rigors of labor and delivery, followed by either 18-or-so years of caring for a child or the emotional wrenching of releasing an infant for adoption. That "donation" is subject to different standards, different presuppositions. It cannot be considered a donation, a gift, if it is required by law. Why are we willing to trust the judgement of one who must decide whether to donate a kidney to save a child's life, but so much less willing to trust the judgement of one must decide whether to go through pregnancy and give birth?

Pregnancy does not de-magnetize a woman's moral compass. Becoming pregnant does not render human beings incapable of ethical action. In pregnancy as in all aspects of our lives, the word is very near us, that we may do it. Choosing life is a whole lot more complicated than disregarding every other claim of family or vocation or physical strength or emotional trauma in order to carry every pregnancy through to term. The demands of pregnancy and childbirth are more than trivial inconveniences to the one who is pregnant, more than petty disruptions to her household.

"Pro-choice" is not the same as "pro-abortion," "abortion as the only option," "enforced abortion." There are many choices, many options to be considered in an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy. All are risky. All call for courage. All are laden with profound consequences.

In public discourse, "choice" gets slammed up against "life" as if they were opposites. In real life, they cannot so easily be separated.

                                                                  ~ Mary Susan

For previous editions of "Pacific Currents", click here.

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