Once upon a time, there was a young Lutheran woman. We’ll call her Linda. She grew up in a Christian home. She was baptized and confirmed. In 1973, her eyes were focused on a husband-to-be. (We’ll call him Paul.) Married a year later and bumbling into the adventure of motherhood two years after that, Linda was oblivious to the culture around her.

One day, this young mom was confronted with a terrible idea—abortion. The Supreme Court, in two rulings on the same day, said, in effect, that any mother could abort her preborn child at any time for any reason! Linda went to her husband. They talked, pondered, and prayed.

Never before had Linda joined a "cause." This time, because she was compelled by something that lived deep inside her, she became involved in the ministry of Lutherans For Life. She and her husband were encouraged by others who were compelled by the Living Spirit to speak up for the precious humans God creates, loves, and redeems.

Linda went out to speak—and listen. Christian men and women took her aside to share how abortion had forever changed their lives. These stories of confusion, heartache, and pain weighed heavy on her heart. Why? Why would a mother or father choose to abort a child? What would have to happen to force them into such a corner of darkness?

Life. Life would have to happen. Life with all of its challenges and temptations. But, God has a Word for life. It is a Word of purpose and hope. However, when this Word is disregarded, forgotten, or lost it is like a sword lain down in the midst of battle.

Sons and daughters in the church find themselves cornered in darkness every time they lay down the Sword of Truth to seek after their own imaginations. We are such prideful creatures! Every generation sees itself a little more sophisticated than the last.

What happens when we attempt to partner Jesus, the Holy One, with unholy ideas?

Could it be that "church people" have become embarrassed by the simplicity of Truth? Ahhh, but without Truth, we can only answer Satan’s question, "Did God really say?" with a feeble, useless word of our own.

Over the years, Linda realized a rebellious spirit had grown in her. It opposed her own imagination. It trumped her sophistication. Truth (together with the experience of older, wiser Christians) has a way of compelling us to live counter-culture.

To really help others—to really make a positive difference—one needs to get behind the façade of abortion and all other wrong choices to discover what propels any of us to make such decisions.

Paul kept repeating: The church is called to be distinctively different. Is it? Who has more influence on the church: the Word or the world?