“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places… STAND THEREFORE!” (Ephesians 6:12 & 14)

Many are convinced the 2020 election is all about politics. I want to propose that the real decisions in this election involve deeply spiritual matters, with ramifications that have the potential to devastate the landscape of all our freedoms. One of those decisions is between “choice” and “voice.”

Speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves is one of my lifetime passions. Here’s an example. During my 50th high school reunion a former classmate told me, “It was so awkward being a new student at Ahoskie High School. On my first day, the other kids acted as though I was invisible. Then you came up to me and said, ‘Hi, my name is Ann. Welcome to Ahoskie High School.’ That little greeting lifted my spirits and made me comfortable to be at this brand-new school. Thank you so much for caring and reaching out to me and introducing me to others in our class.” What a blessing to know that as a teen God had led me to speak to someone who needed a friend.

Another example. Not so very long ago my sister Betty Jean and I attended a Bible study together. Betty Jean’s health had declined to the point that her words became jumbled when she tried to frame a sentence (even though her mental capacity was still intact). At the end of one study, I looked into her eyes and saw she wanted to speak. I knew immediately what she wanted to say to the ladies, “Thank you for your love and care.” Tears streamed down her cheeks as I expressed the words held captive in her mouth. I knew I had hit the mark in my sister’s own heart.

Another segment of our population has grabbed my attention, especially during this difficult election year. The unborn. They represent a group of Americans that would comprise roughly one-sixth of our population. The blood of those who have not survived the womb cries out, loudly. Our society blithely proclaims (in the name of women’s health), “A woman must have freedom of choice!” We all agree that she does have freedom of choice in matters regarding her own health. The point of contention is this: does that same freedom of choice apply to the human being inside the woman’s womb? Just because a baby has no voice, is it right for that same child to have no choice?

Nearly fifty years ago, two camps squared off in the wake of the Supreme Court's 1973 decision regarding Roe vs. Wade. One hails Roe as a victory for a woman’s choice; the other argues that the decision has deprived unborn children of their voice. The battle rages on today and it is a battle worth fighting.

Brothers and sisters, considering the Lord Jesus’ mercy and grace in giving us a voice, I urge you, lift up your voice on behalf of those who have been silenced.

"Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? (Proverbs 24:11-12)