Steve Lyston | Shift in global spotlight on children

We are seeing a global spotlight on children today, from refugee situations in Europe where many of them have drowned while on their journey seeking freedom, to the enslavement and rape of children in various parts of Africa, and recent outcry of children separated from their parents in the United States.

That, in addition to the fact that in some parts of the Caribbean the push for abortion and the poor treatment of children have intensified, is a clear indication that something has shifted/changed on a global level.

In biblical history, we saw where Pharaoh decided to kill all male babies as a part of his efforts at population control at the time Moses the deliverer was born. At that time, the midwives had to make the choice of obeying the law or obeying the Lord. Later on, we see where Herod made the decree to kill all male children from birth to age two years in an effort to kill the true deliverer, Jesus. As a result, his parents (being divinely led) fled with him to Egypt to save His life. Their lives were being threatened and they became undocumented residents in order to ensure He would live.

I believe we will see an increase in pushing for population control, new laws that will affect our hospitals. We will also see more migration, immigration, a general fight for birthright, a greater push for abortion and race superiority and domination.

It is so hypocritical that the media highlight some things and ignore others. The media ought to be consistent in calling out what is wrong, not 'expose' one and hide the other. Anything negative that comes against our children - who are our future - is wrong and must be reported accordingly. Tearing children away from their families is just as wrong as tearing them out of the womb. We cannot treat our future like this.

Children bring joy

God gives us children to bring joy, and they are often answers to prayers we have prayed. We may be praying for God to take our family out of generations of struggle and poverty, and He gives us children with the necessary gifts and talents to do just that. They may be the next top brain surgeon, track and field legend, president or prime minister.

Even if the child was conceived out of an unplanned pregnancy or painful circumstances, there is still great purpose within him/her. I have seen people who were born through rape and incest and because their mother did not terminate them, they have created great impact on society socially and economically. You would be surprised at how many of the movers and shakers in our world today were conceived.

If children were not so important, why would so many spend billions on in vitro fertilization (IVF), IVF research and sperm banks?

Children are gifts to us and a reward. Many childless, rich people would do anything to have children. The Bible says that the longevity of one's life depends on how we train our children in the fear of God (Deuteronomy 6: 7 and Deuteronomy 11: 19).

What global leaders should do is:

Pass laws for quick adoption processes with proper record-keeping so that families who genuinely seek to adopt children can do so.

Pass laws that will support/facilitate proper parenting and enhance parenting skills and laws with more 'teeth' that will effectively hold fathers responsible when they don't take care of their children.

Implement laws that will support the monitoring of motels, hotels, casinos and clubs, particularly (but not only) in the tourist areas.

Implement laws that will encourage real restoration in homes instead of criminalising youth and families.

Have greater monitoring systems for cable and public television.

Stop fighting against the preaching and teaching of biblical principles in prisons, schools and places of safety, while the New Age Philosophy (religion) is being entertained and taught in those places.