Don’t we all love opportunities—a chance to take an action that will change a condition, forward a cause—perhaps even save a life? Opportunities sometimes present themselves quietly, sometimes clearly, sometimes hidden in what seems like a difficulty or challenge. Sometimes opportunities are boldly presented and sometimes they are not shared and the chance to act passes you by. Are you open to opportunities when they come your way?

By the end of this year, Lutherans For Life staff and volunteers will have exhibited at 13 conferences all over the country. Each conference is an opportunity to tell the story of LFL, to give out information, and help equip the church and its people to address these spiritual issues through God’s Word. People often start conversations talking about the life issues as political issues and I love to help them understand that true change happens when we understand the value of human life through the lens of Scripture. These are pro-eternal-life opportunities to change hearts and minds!

We also have opportunities to listen and to see God’s grace and mercy at work. At the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Convention, a post-abortive woman came to the table with a peaceful smile on her face. She told me she was so happy to be at the convention and to know that Christ had fully forgiven her sin. It’s so important to realize that these women are in our midst. They are our sisters, our neighbors, our friends, even our pastor’s wives. We are often given unexpected opportunities to witness to the sanctity of human life and the healing power of Christ’s forgiveness.

Today, I want to present a specific opportunity to support something tangible—something you are holding in your hand right now—LifeDate, our quarterly journal. LifeDate is a free resource, mailed to over 28,000 individuals each quarter, as well as sent in bulk quantities to churches and schools. Four times a year, over 34,000 copies are printed and distributed. What an opportunity to educate and encourage so many people searching for answers to life issues they face in their daily lives.

LifeDate opens many opportunities to witness and educate. It’s well respected in the pro-life community. It’s widely distributed and shared. It makes the connection between the life issues and God’s Word in a way that is unique to LFL. It’s free for the asking—and sent all over the world!

"Free for the asking" does not mean LifeDate is free. The summer issue of LifeDate carried a price tag of over $21,000—about 60 cents a copy. That cost is covered by donations. Bulk subscribers pay the shipping costs for their orders, but there is no cost for the journal itself. Because charging a fee might keep LifeDate from reaching the hands of someone who needs it most, we believe it is important to continue to offer it as a free resource. What an opportunity God has given us to produce and share the messages in LifeDate with someone in need.

I believe it is a God-pleasing decision to continue to send LifeDate free. God gives us this opportunity to share the Gospel message of life and I want to share this opportunity with you. A subscription of $2.40 a year is a pretty good deal for a publication like LifeDate. Would you be willing to pay it? For some that would seem like an opportunity, to others a burden. If you see this as an opportunity to help share the Gospel message of life, would you consider using the envelope in the center of this issue to send a gift to cover one year’s cost for your copy? Would you consider covering the cost for your neighbor’s issue? Your gift of $2.50, $5.00, $25.00, or even $50.00 will help keep LifeDate free for all who request it.