Life is often described as a journey. As a metaphor it serves its purpose well enough, but I have always preferred to liken life unto a story; a Grand Narrative, written into being by the very Author of Life. This Narrative is sweeping in its scope, encompassing all the little sub-stories of its massive cast of colorful characters and weaving them into one, all-encompassing story.
Now, in that story are many challenges, climaxes, twists, and turns. There are moments of joy and success and triumph, yes, but also moments of intense pain, grief, and loss. One little life within the story may seem easy, with bountiful blessings from beginning to end, while another might be full of confusion and pain. Most often, the little stories of individual lives lie somewhere in between.
When our own narratives become tales of sorrow and woe, it is tempting to give into anger and despair; to demand of the Author of Life, "why?" Why allow this pain? Why allow this suffering? Why allow evils to occur? For our story seems dark and sorrowful, and we cannot see its purpose.
Yet this is the beauty of the Grand Narrative: that no suffering, no matter how seemingly pointless, is without purpose in the story. Each setback is only laying the groundwork for greater and brighter things.
Consider the great struggle of Frodo and Sam at the climax of the Lord of the Rings saga, when all hope seems lost and the darkness seems too great to overcome - is that grim moment not simply setting the stage for the triumph of the light and the coming of the new dawn? Does their suffering not foreshadow their joy?
Does the Passion of Christ not prepare the road to the Resurrection?
In the tale of the Pro-Life movement we often find ourselves in grim and bleak places, where it seems like the whole world is arrayed against us. It is tempting to give up hope, to forget the victories we have won and abdicate the fight.
But we must not despair! The night is always darkest before the dawn, and the greatest victories are only ever bought through trial and sacrifice!
Despite every setback, the Pro-Life movement in Eastern Washington is the strongest it has ever been. The tide is turning. We are winning this battle. The only possibility of defeat for us is in surrender.
In the past year, I have witnessed this community come together to fight for Life in dark times. I have witnessed the courage, self-sacrifice, and love of hundreds of ordinary people coming together to do something extraordinary - to be the voice for the voiceless in a culture that would silence us all. Against all odds, we have grown, we have learned, and we have thrived. This is the fight of our age, and I have seen us winning!
Millions of lives, millions of stories have been cut short; stolen from us by the Culture of Death. Yet, in spite of all this bloodshed, we have fought back. We have stood strong in the face of the enemy and saved the lives and stories of more innocents than we will ever know. And we will keep doing so until victory is achieved!
Never let the sadness and frustration of individual defeats and hardships take your hope. Such things are merely the dark before the dawn; the grim chapter that precedes the heroes' triumph.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
"Take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
With these words, our Savior tenderly wipes away the tears of our eyes and reminds us to hope. To hope in Him who holds the stars in place, yet still knows every hair on our heads. To hope in Him who breathed life into the cosmos, and knows every breath we take. To hope in Him who became one of us and bore our every weakness so that we might be made one in Him.
The Author of Life has already written the victory. Ours is to play the story out in faith and joy.
"Pray, hope, and don't worry." Don't worry, my brothers and sisters. God is with us.
Thank you for the honor and a privilege of serving you. I look forward to seeing the great heights to which your story will rise.
May God bless you all.
Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen.
In Christ,
Michael Dumais
509-385-5251
michaeldumais74@gmail.com
Now, in that story are many challenges, climaxes, twists, and turns. There are moments of joy and success and triumph, yes, but also moments of intense pain, grief, and loss. One little life within the story may seem easy, with bountiful blessings from beginning to end, while another might be full of confusion and pain. Most often, the little stories of individual lives lie somewhere in between.
When our own narratives become tales of sorrow and woe, it is tempting to give into anger and despair; to demand of the Author of Life, "why?" Why allow this pain? Why allow this suffering? Why allow evils to occur? For our story seems dark and sorrowful, and we cannot see its purpose.
Yet this is the beauty of the Grand Narrative: that no suffering, no matter how seemingly pointless, is without purpose in the story. Each setback is only laying the groundwork for greater and brighter things.
Consider the great struggle of Frodo and Sam at the climax of the Lord of the Rings saga, when all hope seems lost and the darkness seems too great to overcome - is that grim moment not simply setting the stage for the triumph of the light and the coming of the new dawn? Does their suffering not foreshadow their joy?
Does the Passion of Christ not prepare the road to the Resurrection?
In the tale of the Pro-Life movement we often find ourselves in grim and bleak places, where it seems like the whole world is arrayed against us. It is tempting to give up hope, to forget the victories we have won and abdicate the fight.
But we must not despair! The night is always darkest before the dawn, and the greatest victories are only ever bought through trial and sacrifice!
Despite every setback, the Pro-Life movement in Eastern Washington is the strongest it has ever been. The tide is turning. We are winning this battle. The only possibility of defeat for us is in surrender.
In the past year, I have witnessed this community come together to fight for Life in dark times. I have witnessed the courage, self-sacrifice, and love of hundreds of ordinary people coming together to do something extraordinary - to be the voice for the voiceless in a culture that would silence us all. Against all odds, we have grown, we have learned, and we have thrived. This is the fight of our age, and I have seen us winning!
Millions of lives, millions of stories have been cut short; stolen from us by the Culture of Death. Yet, in spite of all this bloodshed, we have fought back. We have stood strong in the face of the enemy and saved the lives and stories of more innocents than we will ever know. And we will keep doing so until victory is achieved!
Never let the sadness and frustration of individual defeats and hardships take your hope. Such things are merely the dark before the dawn; the grim chapter that precedes the heroes' triumph.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
"Take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
With these words, our Savior tenderly wipes away the tears of our eyes and reminds us to hope. To hope in Him who holds the stars in place, yet still knows every hair on our heads. To hope in Him who breathed life into the cosmos, and knows every breath we take. To hope in Him who became one of us and bore our every weakness so that we might be made one in Him.
The Author of Life has already written the victory. Ours is to play the story out in faith and joy.
"Pray, hope, and don't worry." Don't worry, my brothers and sisters. God is with us.
Thank you for the honor and a privilege of serving you. I look forward to seeing the great heights to which your story will rise.
May God bless you all.
Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen.
In Christ,
Michael Dumais
509-385-5251
michaeldumais74@gmail.com