Redeemed To Life

Brian Chair

“In him we have redemption…” Ephesians 1:7

Norma McCorvey died this last week. Her name might not be very recognizable to you, but Mrs. McCorvey was the plaintiff in the most significant lawsuit in our nation’s history: Roe vs Wade. She was the young woman who was known initially by the alias “Jane Roe”. At the age of 22, she became the central figure in the landmark case that legalized abortion in our country. As a pregnant young woman, her desperate circumstances led her to the conclusion that the best course of action for her would be to abort her baby. However, abortion was illegal in the state of Texas, where she lived. Abortion advocates had been looking for a person whom they could use as catalyst to change the laws in the United States, and in Mrs. McCorvey they had found their bellwether. Claiming the right of personal privacy, the case went all the way to the Supreme Court. In January of 1973, the high court ruled in her favor, and abortion on demand became the law of the land. Since that time, over 50,000,000 babies have been aborted in the United States alone. Though unprecedented in its tragedy, Mrs. McCorvey’s story has some surprising elements of redemption.

For many years, Mrs. McCorvey kept her identity as “Jane Roe” a secret. For most of those years, she worked for Planned Parenthood in Dallas, Texas. In an amazing story of providence; she was befriended by a minister who moved into town to lead Operation Rescue. As a fruit of that relationship, Mrs. McCorvey testified to a saving work of Christ that changed her heart and mind. When she finally revealed her identity, she did so as an ardent supporter and spokesperson for the of the pro-life movement. Though her life was still filled with many struggles and conflicting reports about her, the final chapter of her life was spent testifying of the saving work of Christ and fighting for the rights of the unborn.

The most moving part of her story (at least for me) was what happened to the baby that Mrs. McCorvey sought to abort in 1969. Since the Supreme Court did not rule on her case until 1973, Mrs. McCorvey was forced to carry “Baby Roe” to term. She gave birth to a baby girl, who was adopted by a family in the Dallas area. The identity of the child and her adoptive parents were never made public. For that matter, it is not certain that they were ever made aware themselves of the child’s heritage. All that really needs to be known is this: A child was given the opportunity to live, grow, marry and have children of her own because Mrs. McCorvey was denied the option of aborting her. A couple who may not have been able to have children of their own, were given the opportunity to be parents because elective abortion was not legal. Sadly, this is no longer the world we live in.

I rehearse Mrs. McCorvey’s story to give hope. The woman at the center of abortion on demand in our country, had her life changed by the Gospel. He can change other hearts as well. A little girl who was not wanted, was still afforded the opportunity to live and pursue happiness. If God can turn things around for these two women, He is just as capable of turning the whole culture around in the United States of America. I pray expecting that abortion on demand will end in my lifetime. I pray that we will no grow discouraged and give up on that hope. The effectual fervent prayers of the righteous, still avails much!

Blessings,

Pastor Brian