What is your “Life Story?”
By: Pastor Christopher Mark Seifferlein, Mount Calvary Lutheran, Lititz, PA
Dear Lutherans, I imagine that you have a story that impacts how you think about life issues. What is your “life story”? Here is mine ...
A young man of 18 left his family farm 60 years ago, enlisting as a Marine. Why would a young man volunteer to serve his country? Jesus himself said, “Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for His friends.” Jn 15:13 My father’s sister took the time to write this soldier. He was from a nearby town. Why did my aunt take time as a young woman busy with nursing school to send letters of encouragement? It’s because the life of a Christian is not lived unto oneself, but for the neighbor’s good, in memory of the Savior who lived His life for us.
Sixty years ago, that man climbed into a helicopter in Vietnam to rescue soldiers under attack. What gives a person the energy and poise to fly into the jungle to rescue the wounded and recover the dead – to risk one’s life for friends? Jesus on the cross, who loved us and came to our aid when we were under attack from Satan. My uncle stepped onto the helicopter that day, but he never stepped off. In fact, he has never taken another step since. A bullet fired from the canopy below pierced his spine, instantly paralyzing him from the waist down.
Why would this woman keep writing during his months of recovery in the hospital? And what gives a woman the courage to say “yes” to love, knowing that a marriage will not be normal? Life is different for those who view it from the lens of the cross. To have the eyes of Jesus is to see the joy of sacrificing for the benefit of another, and making it a way of life. Because of injuries sustained, two children, my cousins, were received through the gift of adoption. What gives a pregnant woman courage to face her pregnancy, rather than to attempt the “easy way” of abortion? What gives a woman the heart wrenching power to carry a child growing in the womb, her own flesh and blood, and entrust her child to another? The Father who in the greatest act of love gave His only begotten Son as a gift to us, and the cross of Jesus which gives the faith to believe in the Triune God who strengthens and forgives. But what a gift! For a man who gave to his country everything he had, and a woman who gave up the ability to bear children in her womb, two young mothers gave them everything they had, so they could cradle children in their arms and call them their own. Four challenges were made lovely by the God who has the power to turn bullets into something beautiful, and human failings into redemption.
Why take time from work or daily activities to participate? Why take time to walk on a road and hold a sign where feet and arms might ache? Somewhere there is a little child who can’t yet stand, or speak. We walk for the mother who is afraid, for the father who doesn’t know what to do, and for a community that needs to know there are those who believe in life. We stand in remembrance of Christ who stood for us, when we couldn’t stand on our own, and under whose arms we find refuge.
My uncle is now 79 years old. These days health issues lead to frequent trips to the hospital for things you and I take for granted. He must lie face down for hours at a time due to bed sores on his body. His arms are also worn out – all the result of 60 years of mobilizing in a wheelchair. At Christmas, he buried his wife who had stood by him these many years. Wars come and go, but individuals carry in their bodies the testimony of their willingness to sacrifice for us and the value of our life to them. It is the sacrifice we see in them, the willingness to give it all up for us, which shows us the One who gave His all for us, giving our life meaning and a reason to carry on. This inspires us to stand up for others. Breakfast is on us . . . we have an excellent speaker lineup prepared . . . come listen, learn, and be encouraged as we gather, stand, sing, and march.
On Monday, September 21, 2026 we will gather in Harrisburg as Lutherans for the Pennsylvania March for Life.
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