This may not be a question you find yourself asking daily, but one that every once in a while you need to ask. “Do I want more?” This is a question that can span vast topics depending on who you are and what is going on in your life.
In the most philosophical forum, the question is always answered, yes. Then as the question takes on more specific subjects, the more difficult answers can come. When the subject of the question is introduced, the answer can not or may not be yes.
“Do I want more money?” Now unless you are someone who desires to have nothing I.e. food, shelter, etc, your answer will be yes? Now as the question takes on another subject the answer may not be as obvious. “Do I want more responsibility?” Not everyone wants the responsibility that comes in various ways in life. They will only take on as much as they have to take on. Yet, if you consider the question properly then “Do I want more responsibility?” requires an affirmative response. Seriously, if you are only caring for yourself there is a responsibility required to provide for and maintain yourself.
So let’s take this a little further. “Do I want more freedom?” Now this one can be a little tricky, so please stay with me here. Benjamin Franklin said “Freedom is not a gift bestowed on us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.”
When understood, as to Franklin‘s statement, we recognize that freedom can and only come from the laws of God and nature. God made us free, even in our will. You, I, anyone can choose to do, believe, act as we will and by the laws of God and nature we are free to do so. However, with that freedom to act as we will there are consequences. If you speed, even though you will to do so, you can be stopped and ticketed for exceeding the speed limit.
Freedom is only true freedom when exercised within the frame work of what is lawful. The laws of God do not give us the freedom to take a life unless in defense of our life or freedom. Wars have been, are and will be fought over this very simple premise.
January has an opportunity to celebrate the Sanctity of Human life. Each January, churches and others who support the right to life celebrate life’s sanctity. There are those who believe that abortion is a fundamental right of a woman. Some today are even saying that it is healthcare. These are troubling waters regardless of the side you take. Why? Because every side believes theirs is wrapped in the freedom to do so.
As a nation we went down this road and the slope has become very slippery over the past 48 years. It is estimated at the time of this blog in January 2021 that over 62 million abortions have been preformed. Please hear my heart as to this national tragedy. They were lives that could have done something or maybe nothing. Some would have died from a disease, a car crash, murdered, even COVID-19. Yet, many would have lived and one could have been the one to find a cure for cancer, led a revival that changed peoples lives, saved a persons life, even found the cure for Covid-19. Sadly, we will never know because their life was aborted by will and not a freedom. Remember what Franklin said? “Freedom is not a gift bestowed on us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.”
If as mankind, we are going to be concerned about the climate and preserving it. Should mankind also be concerned about human life and preserving it? Now I admit this is not a difficult issue for me. I believe in the sanctity of human life and I believe that we should care for our climate. The laws of God and of nature tell me that neither was a gift bestowed by man but rather a right which belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.
A thought to ponder,
Elbert Nasworthy
