Unplanned

2Thessalonians 2:11-12 - And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

I was asked by a friend to read a book. It is called Unplanned by Abby Johnson. I'm not quite finished with it but feel a need to jot some notes down and share.

Unplanned is about a young woman who began her early career in Planned Parenthood; first as a volunteer, then as director of one center. It was her desire that women would be able to secure other means to prevent unwanted pregnancies and avoid abortions. It was her belief that was what Planned Parenthood was all about. And it seemed to be until...finances were an issue and abortions became their bread and butter.

I read some reviews and while most were five star, there were some who totally believed the book was a crock! A disgruntled employee with an ax to grind. Of course, with conviction, in either case, one is going to believe what they want.

I got to the chapter A Holy Hush. Previous to this you could see how God was working in Abby's life, convicting her, opening her eyes. This is where I believe those who did not like the book miss the point. They have not been touched by God's amazing grace. She had a heart open to receive. She allowed Him to work in her and had some difficult circumstances to go through.

She started the chapter with the words: God is a great choreographer, isn't He? Oh yes He is. I can attest to that. I know others can also. He often takes us, one step at a time, to a place where we are open to receive what He has to show us. And I pray skeptics will see that day in their lives.

First we have to have a very strong belief in God, at least a strong desire at any cost to know Him. Abby had been asking for this. Along with that desire comes the knowledge of truth. That truth is what separates people. Either we want to know it...or we don't. Sometimes it is a bitter pill, the truth. We don't want to hear because it goes against what we believe, how we live. So the door to God closes.

She goes on...I see how perfectly He positioned me so that when my eyes were pried open by His fingers, I'd have the clearest possible view. She adds, Now that the scales had begun to fall from my eyes, the guilt of countless abortions, including my own two, came crashing down on my shoulders. Anyone touched by God so pointedly, as Abby was, knows that feeling, and knows she did not make any of this up.

It's always all about God. When we see the truth about what He says about anything we change. The poor moral lifestyle we had, the ability to make excuses for the things He says are wrong, because "society" deemed them too binding, caused truth to go out the window. It's partly why Jesus died...because the truth was too difficult for some to bear. Yet He died for all those sins...every one of them...whether one believes it or not.

The thing is...we don't always want to hear the truth. If we don't hear the truth, don't listen, we can live our lives as we wish. Well, this is a very sad truth. She brought up another thing...pride. We all struggle with it. What if what we've believed for so long is wrong? We hate being wrong, so we would rather live the lie? It all starts with the truth Jesus spoke. It is eye-opening. It reveals the sins we've worked so hard to cover up. It's no doubt why the road is narrow that leads to eternal life.

Many call themselves Christians. But if they disagree with God's commands, are they really?  God creates all things. Abortion is murder. If He brought forth a life, no matter by what means, who are we to despise His creation? I know there are arguments as to when life is conceived. Conception is by God's hand; it is immediate...and good. What right do we have, as God's creations ourselves, to go against His Word?

Do we all perfectly keep His commandments? No. But if something becomes so blatantly clear, and we ignore it, we have gone against His command. Jesus, however, is merciful, and if we humble ourselves to confess these sins to Him, He will forgive us. If we confess any sin to Him, if it is truly heart felt, He will forgive us. He will show us what truth is. If we humble ourselves before an almighty God, and submit to Him, eternal life through Christ will happen. Despite all we've done, He will forgive, if....

Heavenly Father, I know for me it seems a daunting task for Your intervention into others' lives, but it is not a big task at all for You. Reveal Your truth to those who struggle with it. Soften hearts of unbelievers that they may know You. Change their hearts, O God.

Daniel 4:37 - ...praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.