Light and Life

In John chapter 8, Jesus described Himself in a manner that reminds us that He shows us His ways
and He radiates through us:
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, "You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true."
14 Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going.

The Pharisees refused to accept and believe the teachings of Jesus; their eyes were blinded by their own pride and arrogance.  Jesus said essentially, "Look at Me.  See Me."  He said, "if you've seen Me, you've seen the Father."  There is a great degree of spiritual blindness in our culture today, and we need the light of God's truth to shine in a profound way - each of us can play a part in that, as we allow Christ to speak through His Word and allow Him to live through us.

+++++

Jesus encouraged His disciples during His final days on earth, to walk in His light.  We have access to that light, because, even though it appeared that light was snuffed out, He is risen and alive in the
hearts of His people. John 12 states:
35 Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.

It's disappointing to see how support for abortion seems to have become the default position for many in the music and entertainment industry - rather than use their platforms to promote life, they have partnered with death.  In fact, LifeSiteNews has a story about a new Planned Parenthood campaign called, Band Together.  The article says, "More than 130 music artists have joined forces with Planned Parenthood to protest the various pro-life laws advancing across the United States."

The initiative's page on its website states: “Musicians across the country are standing in solidarity with Planned Parenthood,” adding, “They’re saying access to sexual and reproductive health care is about the same type of freedom that allows them to create music and speak their truth — because no one is free unless they control their own body.”

And, you might as well add: "...and the bodies of unborn children, determining their right to even live."  But, the nation's largest abortion provider certainly won't do that.  The LifeSite article from late August states:

Billboard reports that the campaign launched this weekend with a full-page ad in Billboard Magazine, and plans to feature a Planned Parenthood “presence” on various artists’ tours as well as music festivals such as Jay-Z's Made in America in Philadelphia and Music Midtown in Atlanta.

Some of the artists include: Alanis Morissette, Ariana Grande, Beck, Carly Rae Jepsen, Demi Lovato, the Foo Fighters, John Legend, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Macklemore, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Nine Inch Nails, Norah Jones, and Selena Gomez.

Selena Gomez?  Really?  Remember, there was such a buzz in Christian media when Selena and Justin Bieber were going to Hillsong Church together.  Since then, she's become involved in the 13 Reasons Why suicide drama on Netflix and went on national television wearing a pro-abortion piece of jewelry.

The show was Live with Kelly and Ryan, and according to The Christian Post:

The 27-year-old Gomez made more than a fashion statement by going on the show with a gold 1973 necklace made by New York jeweler Sophie Ratner.

According to Sophie Ratner’s website, the $380 necklace commemorates the 45th anniversary of the Roe decision. Thirty percent of proceeds from the sale of each necklace will be donated to the pro-abortion advocacy organization, Physicians for Reproductive Health.

A Pennsylvania author and mother, Carla D'Addesi, had people reach out to her to craft jewelry to counter that message, according to the story. She found a "jeweler and a distributor who would be pro-life," and the line COL 1972 was born. It stands for "Culture of Life 1972," and it " launched a line of four different 1972 necklaces this month that are designed to commemorate 'the last year' that 'a culture of life' was enjoyed for the unborn in the United States."

D'Addesi is quoted as saying, “We are building the life tribe in a fun, glamorous way,” adding, “And why shouldn't we be using fashion for good. The other side is using fashion to harm our kids and harm our society. Why shouldn’t we be using fashion to help our society and our kids. We are a brand on a mission.”

And, the company, which D'Addesi runs with her daughters, has acquired a spokesperson:

Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic manager whose experiences were the focal point of the 2019 movie “Unplanned,” agreed earlier this year to serve as COL 1972’s brand ambassador.

Abby had said back in May, "We want to have ethically sourced fashion that is actually going to protect women and their children. Momentum is growing within the pro-life movement and we see all these heartbeat bills being passed. People want alternatives."

It certainly seems that COL 1972 fits the bill.  The Post relates that:

COL 1972 also sells clothing and other fashion accessories. Since its founding, the brand has expanded to offer office-appropriate attire to equip pro-life professionals.

Well, an obvious takeaway here is that we should be dedicated to promoting, as the fashion line suggests, a "Culture of Life."  That is a phrase that was used by President Bush in 2003.  The complete quote, from the archived version of his website, goes like this:

"In the debate about the rights of the unborn, we are asked to broaden the circle of our moral concern. We're asked to live out our calling as Americans. We're asked to honor our own standards, announced on the day of our founding in the Declaration of Independence. We're asked by our convictions and tradition and compassion to build a culture of life, and make this a more just and welcoming society."

That statement was followed by his accomplishments in the pro-life arena.  He's right - our laws should reflect a deep moral concern.  We should be involved in advocating for and passing legislation to protect the unborn and expecting our courts to uphold their rights; but we should also be in the business of attempting to spread an attitude, a mindset, a worldview, that values these innocent lives. And, we do them a disservice when we try to denigrate those who wish to protect the unborn by saying they are not "pro-life enough" because they don't support progressive talking points.  It's strange - conversely, those that claim to be compassionate and lecture Christians about their lack of compassion because they hold to Biblical standards, will turn around and advocate for the taking of unborn life.

I think each of us should strive for Biblical consistency.  We should allow the Scriptures to drive our actions, to govern our compassion, and to govern our views concerning political leadership.  We are not to be neutral or uninvolved concerning politics - that area should be a part of the Christian's life, as well.  And, it concerns me when you have some Christian leaders who seem to think that you should be neutral on political matters.  We should not be silent; we cannot be silent, and Carla D'Addesi is a great example to us; we can be motivated to shine the light of Christ to counter the darkness.