The Beginning

Today, the springtime clouds chose to wring out their heavy charges high above the
Summit City, creating an atmosphere of gloom---the perfect setting for reflecting upon injustice which continues to stain our land.

And so, this afternoon, I found myself returning to where it all began---for me.

Leaving the Allen County Public Library, I decided to stroll down Webster Street to the site of the old Fort Wayne abortion clinic. Standing before the building of red brick, it was hard not to think of the blood lost from the children whose lives were ended on this simple street corner in our civilized country.

Years ago, as a young high schooler, I was brought to this street to pray for the women, to be a visual witness, which I continue to do though the killing has moved to a new location in our city.

Although my pro-life journey in many ways began on Webster Street, I was a latecomer to this debate to define humanity, this struggle to determine the value of mankind.

Before I ever laid eyes on an abortion clinic, there were those who took turns on call, waiting to counsel scared women who needed something culture was not giving them: the truth delivered in love.

Long before I chose to engage myself in this movement, there were those who placed everything they had on the table, who came in droves to the clinic and would not leave unless they were dragged away to sit (or, more likely, stand) in crowded jail cells.

Indeed, before I ever even heard the word "pro-life," the landmark Supreme Court case had already been delivered.

Today while pondering this, though, I reflected upon how often I erroneously think of Roe v Wade as the beginning of it all. No, I am not trying to minimize the impact of this seminal ruling. However, we should recognize that this is not where it all began.

It all began with a conscious decision to reject the righteous, the holy for that which is expedient, alluring. Bearing and supporting a child, to many, appears far less thrilling than a carefree life of unfettered independence just as the taste of forbidden fruit seemed far more appealing than simple obedience in the Garden or as the temptation to dispose of his frustrating younger brother polluted Cain.

Although the immoral choices man has made since then have taken sundry shapes, the common denominator is unmistakable: sin.

This battle did not begin in 1973. Rather, it began when man first sidestepped obedience and ushered the chaos of sin into this sphere.

This perspective reminded me today that even if a Human Life amendment were placed in the Constitution tomorrow, the battle would not be over. Even if not one more baby met her end at the knife of an abortionist, our work against injustice would not be complete.

Until the resurrection finds us perfected in the image of Christ, there will be battles to fight, sin against which one must struggle.

Tonight, as I prepare once again to present the ministry of the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform to men and women who are united in this fight, those years of first seeing abortion for myself on Webster Street seem so far away.

And yet, the beginning of this struggle took place long before the first stone of that building was ever laid in place.

And so it will continue. And so we march together.

The image above was taken soon after the abortionist vacated the facility. I took other images of this site, including many of the interior, when the building was opened after the staff left. These can be viewed in the video below. (The song which plays in the background of this video is "Why Don't We Understand?" by Bryce & Erin Drayer.)