Lives that Matter

“I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Psalms 139:14 ESV

Among the many gifts that God has given us, there is one that is rarely recognized, much less ever fully received. It is a precious gift that God has bestowed on all humanity at the moment of life’s first cry. It is the gift of value and worth as created children of God. Think of it, by virtue of breathing air we are of infinite value to an Almighty God. No man grants this to us or takes it away. Knowing this truth, we are no longer held hostage by the opinions of others, neither do we wait in the shadows for the approval of anyone. Our worth has nothing to do with our life choices or accomplishments. There are no tall buildings to climb or incredible feats to achieve. This is a gift that must be received from the hand of God in order to breath the fresh air of self-worth and dignity. The Psalmist cried out, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows right well.” No matter who we are, we are all works of God and the Bible says we are wonderfully made.

With this truth planted in our hearts we do not need anyone to tell us that our lives matter. All lives matter because God created them. The desire for our worth to be affirmed by others is a denial of its reality. If we truly believe that our lives matter, because God declares that to be true, then the opinions of others mean nothing. We don’t need a sign demanding that others respect us. We respect ourselves because He made us and loves us. If we believe that our value is derived from ourselves or what others think of us, then we will constantly be at the mercy of those who do not know us or our own warped value system.

I do not pretend to know what others have faced in our culture in the way of prejudice. There will always be those ignorant souls that must build themselves up by putting others down. Neither do I deny the fact that societal change is necessary in our present situation. But this I know. No amount of parading or carrying signs through the streets will give anyone the respect and dignity they desire. Regardless of the people-group you identify with, you are a child of God by virtue of birth. (Acts 17:29) You already have the value and worth you seek, because God made you and loves you. In the end what really matters is that you know Jesus Christ, who died to give you life.