No One Could Know

Sandy and Noel Johnson first stood in front of my book signing table at the January Iowa Right to Life event in Des Moines and I instantly like them. They’re the typical good-looking, nicely dressed, well-spoken sorts whose demeanor welcomes you with ease. Their humble confidence exudes peace and love. Finding their eyes when I presented my “No One Could Know” testimony brought familiarity even though we’d just met. They’re calming that way.

But make no mistake, the Johnsons (pictured here with Iowa Right to Life’s Kendra Burger) are incredible warriors in the fight to save the lives of the unborn. As active members of Crawford County Iowa Right to Life, the pair are fiercely tackling real issues to ensure the innocent are protected.

On Saturday, April 25, at their invitation, I had the privilege of speaking for their group’s annual event held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison. The event was well-organized and teeming with friendliness. I shared the lectern with host Father Paul Kelly, Reverend Christopher Maronde of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Iowa State Senators Jason Schultz (pictured, center, with Noel Johnson and I) and Mark Segebart and Iowa State Representative Steve Holt.

Other pro-life organizations donated time and resources for the event – their presence strengthening the efforts of those who gathered for such an important cause.

Young women like Kendra Burger, marketing coordinator for Iowa Right to Life, are raising up a generation as a “pro-life generation.” Without letting vandalism by her opposition slow her efforts, Burger founded Simpson College Students for Life and has now passed the reigns to a freshman as she steps out of college life and in to full-time work for IRTL.

Pastors David and Sue Rauch of Cornerstone Family Church are another faithful couple who feed, lead and protect a flock in Denison. Their presence there meant a lot to me since they’re fellow alumni from my Bible school, Rhema Bible College. What a surprise it was to see them! Lutherans for Life had an impressive table and so did Mary’s Choice, a pregnancy and early childhood resource center in Sioux City. And I was so blessed to share the time and have the help of Gabriel’s Corner Pregnancy Counseling Center‘s Catherine Schroeder.

Amidst such a varied group of people who attend different church denominations, the underlying thread evidenced to me was not a political party’s platform, but a genuine love and respect for Jesus and God’s holy written word – the Bible. In this nation, we are able to come together in a spirit of love, considering one another and treating others how we’d like to be treated. The event was in no way militant, though indeed, we are in a “fight.” No, the event’s core radiated this verse in John 15:35: By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

For our battle is not against flesh and blood. But this battle belongs to the Lord and He shall have His victory. It is a humbling honor to work in this field knowing I am not alone with God as I endeavor to preach the gospel, to bring healing to the broken-hearted, to set at liberty them that are bruised and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

If you’re reading this and battling something as well, no matter what it is, know that you truly can trust God Almighty with your whole heart. He will answer you and meet you where you are. Though storms rage, His faithfulness is great. Dare to take Him at His word – dig into it see what He says about you. You are worth His sending His son to die on the cross for your sins.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. – John 3:16, 17

And God will complete the good work He’s begun in you and perform it until the Day of Jesus Christ.