“So Jesus said to them again, ‘Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All those who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.’” John 10:7-11
Christ’s words in this scripture reveal that His heart is for those made in His image to have life, and have it abundantly – He is the Open Door, and all who enter through Him will find salvation through His death and resurrection. This is the ultimate love.
Our small human hearts and minds, marred by sin, fail to fully grasp this perfect love. But we continue striving to walk in it, knowing that we were created by God to live abundantly in Him.
In the month of June, two historical anniversaries invite our nation to pause and reflect on how we value life and life abundant. Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, recognized the day that the last Americans held in slavery were notified of their freedom from bondage, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. Five days later on June 24th is the first anniversary of the overturn of Roe V. Wade through the Dobbs V. Jackson decision.
“In the sight of God, our Creator, Jeremiah 1:5 states ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated; I appointed you a prophet to the nations,’ so not only does God value every human life but that life begins at conception,” said Gwen Bradley, NDP Task Force National Area Leader for the Southeast Region. “American history records a time when those of African descent were considered only partially human, and history also records that a fetus was not considered human; I am thankful that history can be redeemed!”
Bradley also serves as the Liaison for Prayer Mobilization and Partnerships – a position that allows her to connect her calling as in intercessor with the prayer needs of the nation. She has both participated and led in prayer movements that prayed for hearts in our nation to value life in the womb and the life of all people made in the image of God.
“Although Juneteenth is a somewhat somber reminder of America’s dark past, it is also a recognition that we live in a nation where freedom matters - where laws can be re-written and peoples’ lives positively changed,” said Bradley.
Slavery was legal in on American soil for well over 200 years, and abortion was federally legal for 49 years. Generations were shaped by these institutions, and the same institutions were undone in a swift legal change, moving our country in a direction to value life, and life abundant.
Recognizing and honoring Juneteenth and the anniversary of the Dobbs decision is an act of great love. Blind love is shallow love. Love that knows and sees and presses toward growth is deep love. In the month of June, our nation gets to celebrate this kind of deep love in our nation – a honest knowing, a recognition of pain, and a step toward honoring the Imago Dei, or the image of God, in every person that He carefully and lovingly created.
Will you pray with me?
Lord, You are a Righteous and Just God, and Your fingerprints as Creator are all over each person that You created. Thank You for moving in our nation through the prayers of generations of intercessors; prayer warriors who cried out to you during the Abolition movement, during the Civil Rights era, and now in our era of crying out for life across our land. I pray that in this this week of reflecting, You will show me more of Your heart for Your precious creation – that all would live, all would flourish, and all would come to know You. Open my eyes to see where You stand as an Open Door, that I might invite others to enter through You into eternal life. In Jesus name, Amen.
Peace and blessings,
Amy Parks
Communications Coordinator
