SEEKING WISDOM RE:TERRI SCHIAVO

I, like many others, have gone through the gamut of emotions as I've followed the Terri Schiavo story. I have cried out to God praying for justice and mercy. I've screamed at the radio a couple times after hearing someone put forth as fact things that are patently false. I've stopped watching the news concerning this issue. If I hear one more news personality report a poll result as fact I think I'll scream. Kudos to all of those bloggers out there who have been faithfully and truthfully reporting the facts of this case.

I thank God for a husband who has wisely kept my emotions in check these past two weeks. He is angered about this issue but has kept reminding me that God is on the throne. That doesn't mean we've had an attitude of "what will be will be". But as I've read other Christians' responses to this case, I have felt more and more that we, as the Body of Christ, need to be very careful in our responses. We need God's wisdom to know how to respond, what to do, and even how to speak and pray about this issue. The last couple days, two passages of Scripture have come to mind.

Proverbs 8

"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate. Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all who judge rightly. I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me." (v. 12-17) "Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, for blessed are they who keep my ways. Heed instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts. For he who finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord. But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate me love death." (v. 32-36)

It would have been easy for me to read that and stop there and respond with righteous indignation. While I believe strongly that Proverbs 8 speaks powerfully to the Schiavo situation I need to consider the whole counsel of scripture as well. There is a principle I have been taught which I will call the 'both/and' principle. The reason why I love and respect my husband so much is that he keeps me from going to extremes on either end of the spectrum. Yes, certain "talking heads" on radio and TV are recycling the same old lies about this case and it's right that we should try to correct them. But I shouldn't scream at the radio/TV and get so emotional that I neglect my primary responsiblities of caring for my husband and children. We all must do what we believe God has called us to do. We are all gifted in different ways. Some may be led to speak out, go to Pinellas Park and peacefully protest. Some may be led to speak out against this culture of death that is taking over this nation. Some may be led to fight this case through the legal system. Some may be in a strategic position to speak to Gov. Bush or President Bush. We all, I believe, must pray and seek wisdom as to how each of us, as families and individuals, need to respond. We all need to remember, above all else, that we are not ultimately warring against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6). This leads me to the second passage of scripture - Romans 12. I believe the whole chapter is applicable in this situation but especially v. 9-21.

Romans 12:9-21

"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. 'But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Two more points. I believe with all my heart that the church in this nation needs to be known more for its love for one another and its repentant spirit than how much power we can wield in the culture or in D.C. No, we should not compromise the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1). May we live lives that reflect the uncompromising truth of the gospel and the love and compassion of our Savior.

And secondly, if you are not already doing so, go visit the local assisted living facility and befriend someone there. Let us visit the widows and care for the orphans (James 1:27) These people are not worthless, they are created in the image of God. I believe this "behind-the-scenes" ministry will preach more powerfully than any blog post.

Lord Jesus, I get off my soapbox and fall on my knees coram Deo, before Your face, and repent of my lack of love for my neighbor and my brothers and sisters in Christ. Give me wisdom to know what to say, what to do and how to pray for this nation and Your church. Have mercy on us Lord and forgive us our sins. Be near Terri right now in her suffering and eventual death. Have mercy on her and Michael Schiavo. Enable me, through Your grace, to love and pray for those who love death in this culture, for as You Yourself prayed as You were hanging on the cross, 'Forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.' I don't know what Your will is in this situation but I pray that Your Name would be glorified in all things. You are the only One who can bring good out of suffering and evil and I pray that You will do so in and through the suffering of Terri Schiavo. I pray all these things in the name of our Lord and only Savior Jesus Christ, who suffered more than any other to free us from sin and death. Amen.