Why Spend the Time?
Why do pro-life people spend the amount of time they spend? Clearly, there are numerous disappointments. Pro-life individuals frequently are exposed to condescension, scorn, accusations, etc. Sometimes, pro-life individuals are exposed to threats, intimidation, physical harm, destruction of property, etc. There are few positive tangible results.
Pro-life individuals continue their missionary work because we are spreading God's Word. We are attempting to save souls for God. God asks us to TRY; he says nothing about results. Results clearly are nice, but if we sincerely try to the best of our abilities (following all of God's Commandments in the process - meaning respect for ALL human beings and their property), that is what counts. We may not see tangible benefits in this life. But the information provided has the possibility of stirring someone's conscience. It may also enhance the knowledge of someone who is already pro-life. That additional knowledge may become useful for the pro-life individual at some point in the future.
When one carries a sign protesting abortion, they never know who might see it. If one has the opportunity to talk about abortion in a public place, they never know who might overhear it.
When a pro-life individual thinks or talks about a pro-life issue, they may develop new ideas that will be useful for the future. They may encounter a friend or family member considering abortion or passive euthanasia and be able to provide just the right argument to convince the individual to choose life.
Pro-life individuals are often accused of wanting to control women, to limit "choices." First, if one wants to worry about limiting choices, then abortion should be out of the question. Abortion denies ALL choices the innocent baby could ever make in his or her life. As to the claim about wanting to control women, this is simply untrue. There are a host of acts that are considered crimes under secular laws. These are acts that could be committed by men or women. Bank robbery is an example. Both men and women have been caught either robbing or attempting to rob banks. Because women have robbed banks and there are laws against such an act, are those laws "controlling women"?
Some people have spent more than thirty years in the pro-life movement. This is quite a long time. If the cause was simply a trivial desire to "control" people, they would have found better things to do long ago. No, the cause is RESPECT for human life. Killing 4,000 innocent human beings each day at the beginning of life is NOT respect for human life. Human initiated death for "quality of life" reasons is NOT respect for human life. Destruction of millions of human lives for research purposes is NOT respect for human life. Denying the humanity of the victims of these evils is not a justification. Until these evils stop, there will always be pro-life individuals trying to change hearts and minds.
It is often the case that those who are working for a good cause are subject to scorn and ridicule. People who worked for the end of slavery were not well liked by some. That did not make their cause any less righteous.
If you are pro-life and are beginning to feel fatigued by legislative losses, the horrible tragedy of Terri Schiavo, and the continued acceptance of abortion,, remember that tangible results are not the issue. The important point is to make sure you've tried your best and lived up to God's Commandments in the process. Remember that everyone can contribute something. PEACEFUL picketing, protesting, sidewalk counseling, etc., are important. But if you do not feel comfortable doing these things there are plenty of other opportunities to help. Pray for conversion of hearts and minds. Pray for guidance on how you can best use your God-given talents to help the pro-life cause. Contact local pro-life groups to see how you can help. Browse pro-life web sites for ideas. Write letters to the editor of your local newspapers. Even if they are not published, someone HAS to read them. There are many opportunities. Discover God's plan for YOU in His battle to save souls.