Carter Budwell, 2L
National Legal Foundation, Virginia
It’s hard
to believe that I only have three days left of my internship at the National
Legal Foundation! Time really went by fast this summer, and I am looking
forward to starting my 2L year here soon. But I will miss my time at the NLF
for a number of reasons.
The NLF was
not my original choice for internships this summer – I was planning on working
with the Department of the Public Prosecutor in Uganda. Unfortunately, those
plans fell through. However, as I was praying about what to do this summer, the
NLF came to mind, and through the blessings of God I have been able to work
there.
As part of
my work at the NLF, I was blessed to be able to help in researching and writing
Amicus Briefs in several of the same-sex marriage cases that are raging in the federal
Circuit Courts, including one that was filed in the Seventh Circuit last week.
As one who believes that the family is one of the pillars of our nation, I was
extremely blessed to be a small part of
its defense.
While I was
blessed to be able to write these briefs, the research that I did could also be
very discouraging, because part of my job was to research the support that the
LGBTQ community has throughout America, and through this research it became
more clear just how serious of a problem the same-sex marriage debate has
become, and what an uphill battle those who defend traditional marriage face.
The work
can also be discouraging due to the knowledge that, throughout our country and
indeed within the Christian community are those who see the defenders of
traditional marriage as hateful, intolerant, and unloving. As a Christian,
these are traits that I hope are never displayed in me.
In spite of
these discouragements, I must remind myself and others who experience such
discouragements that those of us who are followers of Christ have been called
to defend His Word in a world that is fallen. It brings to mind verses like
Matthew 5:11 – “"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and
falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Those of us who
believe in the Biblical foundations of our freedom must be prepared to face all
kinds of insults and persecutions for defending the Word, remembering well the
words of our Savior, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me
first.” – John 15:18.
Through
getting a fresh glimpse of how far our country has fallen, I am reminded that
we who practice law must remember that our hope lies not in legal victories,
but in the ultimate victory that was won by Jesus Christ on the cross. It is
imperative that our professions be dedicated to building His Kingdom, through
His power. This means covering our work with prayer, both for those we fight
for and those we fight against, remembering that our struggle is not against
flesh and blood. It means seeking the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, asking Him to
guide us into what area of law we will best serve the Kingdom. And finally, it
means that, when we have done all we can, trusting that God will be God. His
Kingdom will come, and pray that all of experience the joy of participating in
it.
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