“Hey hey! Ho ho! Roe v Wade has got to go!”—this was the battle cry of the National March for Life in Washington for 49 years. This year’s march was characterized by a new anthem: “1, 2, 3, 4, Roe v Wade is out the door! 5, 6, 7, 8, now it’s time to legislate!” Along with this change in chanting, the route of the March looked different this year, passing by the Capitol building to demonstrate the change in the location of the abortion battle. This was my first time attending the March for Life, but I knew something was different. Like always, the March is a celebration of life, an opportunity to make the pro-life presence known, and a call to action. But the call to action seems more urgent than ever—because Roe is gone, pro-life legislation can finally be enacted across the country AND pro-abortion laws even more radical than Roe must be stopped, such as Proposal 3, which recently passed in Michigan, making our state an abortion sanctuary.
My birthday was the day after the march, so I was able to reflect on that gift while I celebrated with friends in D.C. and on the long bus ride home. I turned 19 years old this year. That is a miracle. Life is a miracle, and I think we often forget just how miraculous it is that God has given humanity the ability to procreate and the opportunity to live on this beautiful earth, for whatever length of time we are granted. Roe v Wade ruled in America for almost 50 years. In this time, over 63 million lives were lost through abortion. Sixty-three million birthdays that will never get to be celebrated. Sixty-three million murders were legalized in our nation. Roe is gone, but the culture of death that permeates our society remains. As I write this article, there have already been almost 4,000,000 abortions worldwide in 2023 alone, and this violence is celebrated! The killing must end, and a culture of life needs to be cultivated in order for that to happen.
Actor Jonathan Roumie, the keynote speaker at the pre-march rally, said that “As ones created in the image and likeness of God who is Himself love, we are charged to be the standard bearers who defend and preserve the dignity of every human, but especially the most vulnerable.” Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. A culture that despises God very quickly becomes a culture that embraces and celebrates death. This battle is not just political, or even cultural, it’s spiritual. Satan is angry when life prevails. So we fight. We fight, as Roumie said, the “noblest and worthiest cause possible, which is to allow the unborn the right to enter into the world and defeat those earthly forces that wish to destroy the very evidence of them.”
Volunteer at your local pregnancy center. Have difficult conversations. Change hearts and minds. Pray to end abortion. Pray that life will win, because we know that Life has won.
Photo © Tessa Rampersad/Unsplash
Craig Britton - February 6, 2023
Bravo, courageous Meredith! God go with you. And He does.
Mary Craaybeek - February 8, 2023
Meredith, thank you for your challenge to us to be speaking in defense of vulnerable. I am quoting you in our church bulletin!
Lidya Schalhamer - February 10, 2023
What a great article Meredith. May God continues to bless you to be blessing for people around you.
Ingrid Chayka - February 10, 2023
Wow!! So GOOD Meredith!! Our nation and our WORLD need you and your age group to bring revelation truth to the forefront of our culture!! Too many years have gone by where death to the helpless and most vulnerable has prevailed. Praise God He is raising up a new generation who have found His Truth, His Grace and His great LOVE for LIFE!! GOD BLESS YOU , DEAR GIRL!!❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Linda S. Tschabrun - February 13, 2023
Proud of you for standing up for those who can not yet speak!! Life IS precious!
Peggy Bennitt - February 15, 2023
Well said, Meredith! Very proud of you for willingly sharing your experiences and what your heart and mind know is right as you support life, God’s most precious gift! This has given me hope for the future. Well done!