Devotional for Day 17, March 21, 2014
Dr. Jim Lamb, Executive Director, Lutherans for Life
Intention: May the Lord of Light and Life unite us, shine in us and through us to make a difference in the darkness.
Scripture: For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. — Ephesians 5:8-11
Reflection: For centuries physicists debated the nature of light. Two theories surfaced. The “corpuscular theory” maintained that light consisted of particles emitted from a light source. This explained some properties of light, but not all. The “wave theory” stated that light emitted from its source as waves. Again, this explained some properties of light but not all. So, the debate continued. Did light consist of particles or waves? In the early twentieth century, Albert Einstein answered the question—“Yes!” (And you thought Einstein was complicated!) He showed that light consists of “particles,” little bundles of energy called “photons.” However, when all of these photons zip along together, they behave as a wave. Sometimes pro-life Christians can feel like a photon, a little particle of light, and we wonder if we can possibly make a difference in a world of darkness and death.
The Bible, however, never talks about a “child of light” only “children of light.” When Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world,” “You” is plural. When you and I shine in the darkness, others shine with us. We are pro-life “photons” that form a wave of light that can and does make a difference in the darkness. We are compelled to do so. Jesus hung and suffered on the darkness of the cross and paid the bloody price for our sins. Now the light of His empty tomb shines upon us through His Spirit cleansing us and declaring us “children of light.” But we are called to be more than “glow in the dark” children of light. We are to “walk as children of light” and take no part in the “unfruitful works of darkness.” But it does not stop with passive restraint. We “pho- tons” are called to action, to “expose” the works of darkness. 40 Days for Life epitomizes this. Our pray- er, witness, and truth spoken in love seeks to expose the darkness of death and bring others into the marvelous light of Jesus Christ. When we stand and pray, we never stand alone. The Light of the World is there and He joins you with your fellow “lights of the world.” The wave of light He produces shatters the darkness. It changes and saves lives. Shine on fellow photons!
Prayer: Shine Jesus, shine in us and through us into the darkness and upon those struggling in the darkness that they might be drawn to the Light of Life. Amen.
You may know Milwaukee’s Dan Miller from the 40 Days for Life book. And if you’ve ever been to the vigil site in Milwaukee, you’ve seen Dan because you can’t miss him! He’s around 6 feet 7 … with a heart to match his size.
He’s the local 40 Days for Life leader ... and he's been used by God to witness many miracles on the sidewalk in Milwaukee. Here’s an account of just a few … which include at least four babies saved from abortion! We're also including some photos from the Milwaukee vigil.
As you’ll be able to see, Dan keeps very accurate records.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
“At 11:47 am, God showed us our first save,” Dan said. “The first thing about this couple that I noticed was their happy demeanor. We talked back and forth in Spanish – and the next thing you know they are telling me that they are keeping the baby. They looked so good with their decision to parent their child – they were absolutely glowing.”
At 12:24 pm, another couple walked out – and they also looked happy. “I noticed was her lipstick, which was like a sea-blue,” he said. “I used that as an ice-breaker – and the next thing you know, they are taking one of our gifts – and I’m blessing them and their baby.”
At 12:40 pm, three women walked out – and into a waiting cab. “There was something giddy about them,” Dan said, “and then we found out why. They told us that they were keeping their baby – before we had the chance to ask!”
At 12:46 pm, yet another mother talked about her decision to reject abortion. She said, “They tried to talk me into killing it – but I just couldn’t do it. This is my baby!”
Later in the day, Tony, a counselor, talked to another couple. “Tony said the father did not want the abortion – and was very concerned because the mother seemed to want an abortion in a huge way,” Dan said.
“When they came out – the father was smiling so wide – he seemed like a man on cloud nine. He did not look concerned any longer – he seemed happy and relieved,” he said. “Pray they don’t ever come back.”
Towards the end of the day, a man drove up with his window open and asked, “Are you making a difference here?” Dan said, “Yes – I think we are.” In the ongoing prayer effort in Milwaukee, 502 babies have been saved from abortion since August of 2010.
The man replied, “That’s fantastic! I see you guys all the time. I say a little prayer for you every time. I came down here thirteen years ago to have my baby aborted. In the end – we walked away from it. Here is a picture of my daughter, who was supposed to be aborted – isn’t she beautiful?”
“I want you to know,” Dan told the Milwaukee volunteers, “that your presence makes a difference.”