Know What You’re Voting For
One of the first times I recall thinking about the word “viability” was when I was a young dad. At that time, my kids were just a clump of cells. We affectionately called them Baby A and Baby B, referring to our twins, Camden and Adalyn. My wife and I had the rare opportunity to see them at the earliest stages of life. She had been diagnosed with unexplained infertility, and while I had serious concerns about in vitro fertilization (IVF) in terms of protecting life, we trusted a doctor who shared our Christian beliefs. We felt confident that he would guide us through the process, treating every embryo as a life—because that’s exactly what it is.
I could share all the details of that journey, but that’s not the main point of this post.
After going through the IVF process, we ended up with three embryos. When it came time for the procedure to transfer them into my wife’s uterus, we knew one was considered less viable than the others. Yet, we believed in giving every life the chance to thrive, doing all we could to support the possibility of life.
About six weeks later, my wife started spotting—a major concern during pregnancy. We rushed to the triage at Winnie Palmer Hospital, as it was the weekend, and waited for hours, terrified that we might have lost one of our children. When we were finally called in for an ultrasound, we saw our two precious miracles—Baby A and Baby B. But Baby C was not to be found. We later learned that the less viable embryo had not survived, resulting in a miscarriage.
While we rejoiced in the gift of our twins, we also grieved the loss of another one of our children.
I share this story because it is deeply personal, and it’s a reminder of the sacredness of life. At no point did we question the value of any of our children, regardless of how viable they were deemed by medical standards. Life, at every stage, is precious.
Today, we face an important decision in Florida with Amendment 4. As someone who believes that life is precious at every stage and that abortion is the taking of a life, I hold the view that abortion should only be considered in the most limited and extreme circumstances. However, the proposal for Amendment 4 would allow abortion at nearly every stage of pregnancy and for almost any reason.
The proposed amendment reads:
“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.”
At first glance, this wording may seem to include reasonable limitations. It gives the impression that abortions would be restricted to the early stages of pregnancy, only considered when necessary for the at-risk life of the mother, and under the direction of a doctor. It may also suggest that parental consent is required in certain cases.
My friend Jim Davis, a pastor in Maitland, has wisely cautioned about the embedded deceit written into laws like this one.
Viability: This was the word used to describe my babies when they were embryos, and it continues to be used throughout a baby’s time in the womb. The term primarily refers to the ability of the child to survive outside the womb, which some define as the moment life begins. However, the definition of viability is not fixed—it depends on who’s defining it. This ambiguity could even allow for abortions well into the third trimester.
What does ‘health’ mean? Is it strictly about saving the life of the mother, or does it include emotional, mental, or financial stress? Many factors could be interpreted to justify saying the mother’s health is at risk. While those concerns are important and should be addressed with tangible support, we must also give equal consideration to the life she carries.
Regarding healthcare providers: The language of this amendment doesn’t specify that a “healthcare provider” must be a doctor. It could refer to any number of professionals from various fields. Could a certified dietician or a mental health therapist make this decision? This is another vague term, and it's intentionally ambiguous.
While the amendment claims it won’t change the Legislature’s authority to require parental notification before a minor gets an abortion, “notification” is not the same as “consent.” As a parent, I am responsible for giving consent for other medical procedures, yet this amendment would allow my daughter to undergo an abortion without my approval.
That’s why I will vote No on Amendment 4. I cannot allow my vote to be misconstrued as support for abortion for any reason. Furthermore, I will stand for life in all its forms by:
Serving mothers and families in need.
Advocating for better medical care and financial resources.
Supporting and building up strong adoptive families.
Promoting a foster system that treats children and their mothers with dignity and respect as image-bearers of God.
I write this with deep care for those who have experienced abortion. God’s grace is sufficient for renewal and restoration, no matter the circumstances. I’ve sat with people who have wrestled with their decisions and found grace and freedom in Christ by laying their burdens and sin struggles at His feet. Maybe you disagree with me on an issue like this and you would like to discuss or maybe you don’t know how to get over the idea that you have had an abortion. I personally would love to help you processing with the life changing, shame shattering, and sin crushing power of Christ who invites you to himself.
I share this also because, just as my children developed from viable embryos to healthy babies in our arms, we see the power of God in the vulnerability of Christ. God Himself entrusted His life to the womb of His mother, becoming vulnerable as a child. The greatest affirmation of life comes from the life of Christ. I pray that this truth informs and transforms our decisions as we approach November 5th.
Philippians 2:8 — And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
