The Value of a Life

I recall the time my black skin classified me as being something less than human. Therefore, justifying my debasement, desecration, even death.

My ancestors told stories from the grave of how they were captured; mistreated; discriminated against; abused; beaten; raped; hung; and put to shame, torture, and death in a multiplicity of other ways. This is why the fresh lynching of a black man, woman, or child, grips the heart of many people of color in our present-day society. Those stories never left the folds of our minds. And somehow, we’re reminded how words can be rewritten to make a deplorable act completely acceptable, even applaudable.

History repeats itself from generation to generation.

I don’t think it happenstance that God has placed me in the center of two worlds where the most violent and heinous of acts are committed against human life. Life He created with dignity, value, and purpose. The exploitation and destruction of human bodies for self-gratification, gain, and governance permeates the spheres of trafficking and abortion.

And we call it good.

But let’s define terms:

• Debasement - the fact or state of being lowered in dignity, character, or importance

• Desecration - the act of ruining or violating something revered or greatly valued

• And Death - the total and permanent cessation of all the vital functions of an organism

And their euphemisms: commercial sex, porn, pimping, stripping, choice, reproductive health, care, pregnancy termination, liberation, and women’s rights.

Vocabulary rewritten.

But what does God say?

I gather that there is a growing number far outreaching those who care to listen to His heart and ultimately verdict on the matter. But we’ll speak anyways.

When God created humans, He made them unlike any other creation – He made them in His image. That in itself gave such life a distinctiveness from all the rest. Such life was to be treated with the highest regard and value, for it would mirror His likeness. And what is God like?

When we think of something rare, we determine its value is of great worth. Something to be esteemed and treated as special, even sacred. Something to be protected and given access to by only competent and capable assessors and handlers. God is the rarest of all, for no one and nothing compares to Him. No one and nothing have His essence or capability. And yet He needs no protection and has given us access to get close without the cost of our physical deaths. Rather, He brings us life – restored, new, and abundant.

When God informed us that humans are made in His image, He was giving us more than a simple fact to read and move on from as a stick we kick out of our path when walking. No, he was reminding us to treat such life as costly yet priceless. And because He set its value as worth far more than the most precious of gems, to protect it, honor it, and dignify it.

When we look at the lives of men, women, and children - those in and outside the womb, we see evidence of our failure to do so. But we believe change is possible.

Why does JoshuaNation exist? We exist to restore a kingdom mindset to a people who have become their own kings and queens, writing their own laws and decrees, and determining their own morality and truth. We exist to declare that there is only one King, one law, and one truth. The deterioration and destruction of people are reversible when they come to know and revere the one who enabled their existence in the first place and prescribed their purpose for His glory and use and not their own.

We can’t rewrite history, but we can change the destiny to be written for our children. It begins with planting seeds about the worth of human life and instilling knowledge about the One who gave and has a plan for it.

We can’t rewrite history, but we can change the destiny to be written for our children.

Will you submit your perspective and opinion about what is good and truth to the One who alone is good and truth? If your answer is yes, we invite you to join us in creating a legacy of truth, justice, and literacy within your homes and for your future generations.

Check out these passages for further exploration about God’s viewpoint on our euphemisms: Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 9:6, Judges 19-20, Psalm 106:34-39, Psalm 102:18-20, Psalm 139:13-16, Proverbs 6:16-19, Jeremiah 32:30-35, Jeremiah 22:3, Hosea 4:1-3, John 8:42-47, Romans 3:10-20, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Revelation 18:9-20.