The Hope That is In Me

I was out most of yesterday at a Cities4Life Picnic, and today head out soon to the sidewalks of Charlotte's busiest abortion mill. My soul is saturated with the message of the sanctity of life.  I prepare my heart in the mission of urging women to choose life for their babies by reading Scripture. I look for a verse to meditate on and develop the message I believe God wants the women to hear.

Each week it is different. The verses that popped out to me for today:

I am feeble and utterly crushed.
I groan in anguish of heart.
All my longings lie open before you, O Lord.
My sighing is not hidden from you.
Psalm 38:8-9

Which of us has not felt this way at some time in our life? Despair is tugging at our coattails with increasing vigor. We feel unable to resist. Anguish overcomes us, and there seems to be no way out.
I know the women that seek abortion often feel that way. They have lost hope in anything but the terrible choice of killing their baby.

But there is hope, and it is the only hope that ultimately overcomes anguish of heart.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
And in His word I hope.
Psalm 130:5

  and

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.  
Hebrews 6:19-20 

Some studies indicate that 44% of the women who have one abortion, will have repeat abortions. If we can not reach these women with a message of hope, and break the cycle of bad choices that led to the first abortion, this culture of death will continue.

So I go to the abortion mill this morning with a message of hope, the only hope that changes one's heart and one's soul.

1 Peter 3:15 

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,