At the Crossroads
She is at a crossroads considering her options. This is simply another choice in a long line of decisions that have brought her to the place where she stands today. Yet, this choice feels different. Her heart and head are battling; everything inside of her tells her that this is the biggest decision she has ever faced.
Three paths stretch out before her. She can continue to walk straight ahead, but that would mean the truth will come out. Is she ready to be a mom? The thought is overwhelming. A second path veers off the road ahead, and she searches for the courage to choose adoption. She thinks that perhaps the easiest path would be the one to the left; this path would hide her secret and seemingly get her back to life as usual. The idea seems appealing and yet appalling. She has never pictured herself choosing the path to abortion. She stands there pondering her options and feeling more alone than she has ever felt before.
But what if she wasn’t alone? “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16).
What if someone loved her enough to hold her hand during this time? What if someone was there to answer her questions and help her as she seeks the truth?
In Acts 8:26-40, we read of a time in Philip’s life when God told him to walk along a desert road. Philip obeyed and found himself on the same path as a eunuch from Ethiopia who was struggling in his search to understand God. Because Philip allowed God to strategically place him on the path alongside this man, he had the opportunity to introduce the eunuch to who Jesus was, how He died, and why He would willingly give His life so that others could experience salvation. Philip’s obedience and willingness to be used by God gave him a wonderful opportunity to help someone who was ready to hear God’s plan of salvation. Because of his willingness to come alongside this man and ride with him in his carriage, this man became a new creation in Christ.
When we strategically position ourselves alongside the “carriage” of a woman facing a pregnancy decision, we will find that she is already asking questions — that she is already feeling the pull of God on her heart. His grace has been in pursuit of her life, and we have the privilege of playing a part in her growing understanding of that grace. That’s discipleship.
Prayer for the week: Father God, we pray for You to fill us with Your grace as we join her at the crossroads of her life. Give us the opportunity to speak truth into her life as she considers the options before her. Strategically position us in her life so that we can introduce her to who You are and who You have created her to be. Amen.
Sherry Sherwood is CEO of Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center.
Written for devotions.
Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.
