Life Goes On

Family North Carolina Magazine—Jan/Feb 2008

By Bill Brooks

I can’t say when I first heard the expression “life goes on.” I have always heard it used in the aftermath of tragedy, usually resulting in death. The idea is that life goes on for those who are alive and continue their existence in this world—even after others are gone.

In an attempt to gain a richer understanding of this phrase, I turned to that ever-present source of instant information, the Internet. A “Google” search turned up a list of recent songs, TV shows and movies with the title “Life Goes On,” or there were vague references to scholarly articles that used the phrase, most often connected with biology discussions.

I even viewed a music video with that title, by a famous “gangster rapper,” Tupac. A young man who grew up in a world of crime and disappointment, was to millions, an icon of social reform and success. Despite selling tens of millions of record albums and receiving accolades as the greatest rapper ever, he was killed in a drive by shooting at the age of 25.

But I found no reference to the oldest event I could think of to which this saying would apply, this side of the Garden of Eden, and that is the book of Job. Here is the story of a man who loses everything except his wife and his life—possessions, health, children, and maybe, almost his faith. Yet, God spares Job, and his life goes on.

And I remembered a hymn that is often sung at funerals and is particularly appropriate in times of tragedy, “It Is Well With My Soul.” It was written by Horatio Spafford, a businessman who lost his possessions in the Chicago fire of 1871 and his four daughters in a shipwreck in 1873. Embodied in this wonderful song is the idea that even in tragedy, life can go on, particularly when we realize the love and mercy of God.

In fact, the most important references to life going on, were made by a Jewish Rabbi, who lived almost 2,000 years ago. He said, “I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.” The abundant life He spoke of, for us, extends from the beginning of a relationship with Him, into eternity.

On a personal level, we all probably have at least one life story we would put into the tragedy category. After that story, life goes on for us.

But what is the story of those who are never born? How does their life go on? That is a question that brings deep philosophical divisions in our society.

For those who favor abortion, this question is presumably not a problem. Some have decided that human life only begins when a baby takes its first breath. Others evidently believe that if an abortion was attempted and the baby was born anyway, then leaving it to die is fine. And a few, like professor Peter Singer at Princeton University, have argued that parents should be permitted to allow a “defective infant” to be killed, if the child has no ability to anticipate or have desires for the future.

Most who believe abortion is wrong, however, have come to understand that life begins at the moment it is conceived and, for a human being, should continue until a natural death has occurred. That construct is also at the root of other issues such as embryonic stem cell research and euthanasia.

Supporting the idea that human life begins at conception, is the latest revelation from the field of astronomy. Over Christmas, I watched a video, “The Star of Bethlehem.” Based on years of research, the author produces credible evidence as to the origin and reality of the “star” that announced the coming of Jesus. One of the astounding facts presented, is that the date the star first appeared to the Magi, or wise men as we have come to call them, was on the date of Jesus’ conception.

This is yet another confirmation, if we need any more, that God views each human life as beginning at the moment of conception.

So whether you have a story like Tupac, Job, or Horatio Spafford, the fact that someone allowed each of us to be born is a primary requirement to having a story. Continuing to kill children before they can take their first breath is barbaric. For these children who enjoyed their first days, weeks or months inside the womb, a pill, needle or other device that took their innocent lives means they will never be able to say, “life goes on.”

Bill Brooks is president and executive director of the North Carolina Family Policy Council.

Copyright © 2008. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.