Twenty-four years ago today, the South African government passed the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, considered to be one of the most liberal abortion laws in the world. Since then, thousands of unborn children have been killed in the very place they should be safest: their mother’s womb. We saw on Sunday night that there is good, biblical reason for Christians to oppose this evil legislation. On the anniversary of this Act, rather than personally addressing it again, I thought it might be helpful to hear from another believer, on the other side of the world, about this matter—a believer with personal, intimate experience.
Listen to the testimony of Shauna Amick in this regard.
Joni’s newly revised book When Is It Right To Die? tells powerful stories of families who have wrestled with end-of-life questions. This unique must-read offers us the practical encouragement and biblical counsel necessary to make wise and Christ-honoring decisions when faced with the most difficult scenarios possible. It also brings me back to the day I was offered the chance to “skip the suffering” and end the life of my own daughter, Sarah Hope.
As I lay on the ultrasound table, I had no idea that my neatly-organized world was about to be flipped upside down. Four months pregnant with our third child, my husband and I simply wanted to know if we’d be having a boy or a girl. The ultrasound images revealed we’d be having a girl. They also exposed a heart defect so severe that I could diagnose it myself. I stared at the blurry, wiggly image of Sarah—deformed heart and all—and the doctor pointed out her shortened limbs and thick neck, too.
What that doctor said next was like a kick in my gut. I could barely process her words, “These are all red flags for Down syndrome, Mrs. Amick. In cases like these, we recommend termination.” Within just a few minutes, everything familiar—life as we had known it—changed drastically, and our family was set on a brand-new course.
My spirit silently groaned, “Jesus, rescue me. Rescue my baby. This can’t be happening. It can’t be true. This stuff happens to other people, Lord. Not to me, God. Not to my baby.”
Looking back into the doctor’s eyes, I shook my head “No.” I didn’t have the strength to speak. I couldn’t even find enough breath to whisper, but I felt my head shaking from side to side, and I knew what I was saying. I knew what Christ was saying in response to my prayer.
“Are you sure, Mrs. Amick?” she pressed. “This isn’t going to be easy.”
That’s when I found my voice. “We are not going to abort our baby.” There was just enough conviction in my tone to communicate case closed. Although my mind was still trying to come to grips with it all, the one thing I was sure of was the fact that the child living and growing inside of me was a blessing. Down syndrome or not. Genetic abnormalities or not. The tiny fetus who would become known as Sarah Hope Amick had been fearfully and wonderfully—yes, even miraculously—made by the very hand of God.
As I squeezed my husband’s hand in the doctor’s office the Holy Spirit brought to mind Bible verses about the sanctity of life, rescuing Sarah and safeguarding her right to life.
“You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, and all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”
(Psalm 139:13–16)
When the medical community is quick to offer abortion in an attempt to make things appear easier, the Bible is quick to offer truth, strength, and infinite hope. Scripture shows us when it is right to live, as well as how to live life to the full.
I pray you’ll order a copy of Joni’s book so you, too, can grab hold of a biblical view of both suffering and the sanctity of life. And I pray that God will bless you with a fresh understanding of the great value of your life, as well.
As you meditate this morning on Psalm 139:13–16, be motivated to pray fervently for the end of evil abortion laws in our country. Then, bathing your efforts in prayer, ask God for opportunities to speak the truth and promote life in a culture of death.
