I like a passage in Scripture that is often used by those who preach and teach on behalf of the Anti-Abortion groups in our state - and others. Most likely, I do not read it as some of them do.
Jeremiah 1:4-5
Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.'
First of all, I would like to submit that they abuse this passage not use it. It is metaphor - wonderful words for the encouragement for this prophet who is already in the midst of his life and yet is facing the amazing decisions that will come upon him. When we must face taking up our part in the life of God's Reign in the everyday world - it can be frightening - confusing - distressing. As we know, the great prophets, like Jeremiah, were wading into a call for justice and mercy and love in the middle of a people who had been living quite contrary to such a life. That meant the Prophet needed to be a person of substance - a person who had a ground upon which he could speak and act and even die. That ground was Jeremiah's God. This is the God who creates with words - who orders the chaos - who forgives that which people often call unforgivable. Those comforting words - that amazing image - were to create in one who may be afraid of what was to come - a bit of courage.
It is a though he hears the truthfulness of God's promises that have been the power for new and expanding life since the beginning. That powerful Before erases all that Jeremiah could say and think about what he could or could not do. It is as though God is saying, 'Honey - my beloved, I am already on your side. I the Creative One - I the One who Rescues and Delivers - I the One who keeps promises, have been and will be with you as your rock and your stronghold. You cannot think your way into this journey or plan it out. I am for you -eternally. It is meant to diminish any thought Jeremiah might have as to why another should be chosen or why he did not have the skills or ability to follow along the way of God's promised Reign. In other words, before you even were - before God was even a creative agent - so definitely before you are who you think you are, Jeremiah - I am yours and you are mine. This is metaphor - emphasis - blessed assurance, for the life at hand. To make this passage into some argument about abortion is to prove one's lack of biblical imagery and power. It is easy to abuse Scripture in order to make the image of God into our image - but to keep God as God we must appreciate the wonder and encouragement of images that bring forth a truthfulness that is not dependent on our ability to make sense of the world.
Secondly, I would like to suggest that this word of encouragement to Jeremiah could also be a word of hope and encouragement to the women who face the everyday life decisions to which they must attend - even abortion. Too often, preachers love to tell everyone - that which needs to be and that which should not be. Religious folks often love to think they are the ones who possess the ability to know that which is good and that which is evil. Unfortunately, in the righteous heat of their minds-made-up and their certitude-of-how-the-world-is-to-be, they actually lose a grip on the beauty and freedom of God's creativity. I often will tell young people that if they hear the Scriptures being used to diminish someone - brutalize someone - persecute someone - blame someone - call for hate against someone (this list can go on and on), they need to turn and walk away. Actually, I have suggested they shout 'baloney.' Ancient writings, tribal assurances and controls, and sacred tools to keep things as is, must never remove the wonder and beauty of the poetry of Scripture that is meant to take us above and beyond our rigid interpretations and notions about God's will.
Our God is one who says: You, my child - you, my beloved - you, with whom I have always been and always will be - you, are mine in and through all of your life. This is - as is so clear in Scripture - through any and all things we will encounter. It is a love and an embrace that lasts even as you are persecuted for what you have done or left undone. It is a love with arms ever ready to embrace and hold and comfort in all times that may be distressing. This God is not the one so many folks like to paint as one who condemns - one who blesses if we are good and curses if we are not (that is the cultural Santa Claus by the way).
Finally, I must say that I an always amused by the men who use Scripture to place themselves above women - who know what a woman needs to do and should do - whose love of an ancient patriarchy continues to belittle the wonder and power of God's creative genius displayed in the women around us. Oh how valiant they love to appear - how righteous - how powerful - how loud. Maybe it would be good for their daily devotion to contain the constant reminder of the God whose love orders the day and calls forth a blessing - for all. They would do well to remember fine words by a Canadian theologian, Douglas John Hall: God Reigns - all contrary evidence notwithstanding. It may then be that the warring madness embraced by many legislators might become a compassionate brilliance.
TRRR
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