Dear friends in Christ. I am posting an email discussion I had this
morning with an American documentary film-maker I recently worked with. She expressed sadness that my life’s work seems to have met defeat. I appreciate her concern for me: But I would rather lose for something that is right than win for something that is wrong. Remember, don’t let temporal defeats cloud your eternal
perspective.
More than thirty years of chronic illness and disability of MS have taught me that apparent
defeat can open wide doors for witness and service for Christ.
The American documentary film-maker's email is immediately below. I will refer to her as S. My response follows her message.
Mark
Hi Mark,
I'm sincerely sorry for the Feb 9 ruling in your country. I know you fought hard for this.
Wishing you continued hope.
Best,
S.
From: Mark Davis Pickup
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2016 11:52 AM
To: S.
Subject: Sad? It's a matter of perspective
Thank you for your note S.. What’s about to happen in Canada can been
seen as another defeat to my life’s work in Life issues against abortion and
euthanasia. It is and it’s tragic, I agree. But it also gives me an opportunity to make my light of Christ shine in the darkness that has descended upon my nation. I have
only my small candle but all the darkness in the world can not snuff it
out.
Christ’s followers must not give up (or give in) even against what seems
to be overwhelming odds and defeat. We must show our moral and spiritual mettle
and now move into civil disobedience. Catholic hospitals and medical
professionals must adopt a stance of full resistance and open defiance against
the euthanasia regime in Canada. Catholic hospitals and Christian medical
professionals must refuse to kill or refer to killers in assisted suicide or
euthanasia. The government can choose to turn a blind eye or persecute doctors
and hospitals that refuse to kill. It sounds grim and it is grim. The stakes are
horribly high.
But it’s also a splendid opportunity for Christian witness in hope and life not death and despair. We now have an opportunity to establish a network of free-standing Christian hospices across the nation that always affirm life (even at its end) in an environment of love. This is when Christians can really show that the living Christ is real, that we know Him and our relationship with Him means so much more that what any court of legislature decrees -- if it openly demands we compromise or abandon the faith and relationship we have in Christ.
But it’s also a splendid opportunity for Christian witness in hope and life not death and despair. We now have an opportunity to establish a network of free-standing Christian hospices across the nation that always affirm life (even at its end) in an environment of love. This is when Christians can really show that the living Christ is real, that we know Him and our relationship with Him means so much more that what any court of legislature decrees -- if it openly demands we compromise or abandon the faith and relationship we have in Christ.
I am not defeated, S. I am humbled that God would trust me enough to
put me in this place for a desperate time such as this. The question I must
answer is this: “Will I have the moral courage to be faithful to the calling
I’ve been given?” That’s where I need your prayers, S. God bless.
Mark
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