This past Thursday, I experienced one of the most terrifying episodes of public speaking. It happened in my discussion class – surrounded by 20 other college students.
It all began with an assignment that was due the night before: an online post to answer the question “what injustice would you stand up for?” What weighed the heaviest on my heart was the injustice of abortion, the suffering of innocent children. It was hard to write about a controversial topic, but I knew it had to be said. After all, it was just online, so it wasn’t as scary (or so I thought). This is how my post began:
It felt good to speak my voice about such a concerning problem – until I actually had to speak. The next day, we met for discussion and talked over the injustices we wrote about online. We were placed in groups based on similar topics, however, I was the only one to discuss abortion and was placed randomly in “gender equality." The Teacher’s Assistant (TA) began to call on each group and have them share their thoughts with the class.
By the time my group had finished sharing, the TA must have noticed my disinterest in this topic.
“Taylor, I know you discussed something different in your post. Would you like to share with the class?”
Mental response: (cue sense of panic) “um … no … but thanks.” But that’s not how I answered. I hesitated, searching somewhere inside me for the courage to tell my brain to tell my lips to move.
“Well, I discussed the injustice of abortion. Many people look at this from the perspective of women’s rights, but the important thing is that the child will suffer…” *5 minutes of rambling, trying to avoid backlash for my response*
I’m not sure exactly what I said, but I remember how hard it was to say. I’ve never stood out too much before, but speaking about abortion in a room of liberal college students naturally makes you stick out like a scream in a silent room.
After I finished speaking, the floor was open for anyone to reply. Fortunately, none of the responses were nasty, but none of them supported me either. The most heart-breaking response I heard was, “My roommates were both raised in Christian homes and they believe it’s morally wrong, like they don’t agree with it, but they’re pro-choice because it isn’t their place to make this decision for anyone else.”
Valid point. At one time, I would’ve even agreed. As Christians, we don’t want to step on anyone’s toes or force people to believe the same things we do. However, as I really thought on this response, it didn’t sit well with me. How can you believe that something is morally wrong yet support it anyway? I mean no harm by saying this because for years, I was at the same point. But not anymore.
There are a million arguments regarding abortion and I’ll admit, some of them are valid points. However, all these arguments are overridden by the fact that a human life is in danger. I can’t sit by and allow that to happen. Not anymore.
As I thought about writing this article, I was convicted, as if God was saying, “Look, it’s awesome that you want to speak out about abortion, but what are you going to do about it?” Great question.
Action is beginning within “The Bridge,” a college ministry passionate about growth. We began an initiative to collect diapers to give to the First Coast Women’s Services, which will ultimately help mothers in need of resources to help raise their child. The heart of our mission is this: we want to do more than just speak out about abortion. We want to show mothers that we care about them and are willing to help. After all, you can’t always change someone’s mind, but you can always show love to them. And that just may be the push they need. (If you would like to support our Diaper Drive by donating diapers, I’d love to tell you how to get involved).
Thank you for taking the time to hear my story. Please be praying for this ministry and for the women we hope to reach out to through our Diaper Drive!
And [Christ] will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' – Matthew 25:40
