A recent local event humorously presented “death and suffering as the stuff of dreams.” The CDC’s suicide rates show that people dreaming of death have been a problem nationally. As a community, we can prevent suicidality by stopping the lies that it is rooted in. Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10), yet his lies are often overlooked. Evil is sneaky. We need to speak the truth clearly, loudly and often. Here is some of that truth: Life is better than death. Your life matters to this world. You are lovely, loved, planned and treasured. With a baby the innate value is obvious. It is just as true of all humans.
Regardless of your appearance, grades, income, social status, sexuality, career, talent, religion, race, gender, strength, you are made in the image of God (Genesis 1).
Regardless of your friendships, marital status, family connections, or lack of relationships, you are valuable because you are loved by the Creator of the universe.
Regardless of your health, kindness, intelligence, or position, you are valuable because you are valued by the One who matters most.
Even if you seem to have messed up everything in your life, your essence makes the world a better place. Male or female, you are designed in the image of God. That makes you incredibly special. You are an image bearer of the one true God.
Your value doesn’t change based on your circumstances of conception or family makeup. Either way, God knit you together in your mother’s womb. Either way, you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). Either way you were planned by God and your life matters.
You may have a lot of growth to do, but so does my sweet toddler. No one questions a toddler's value to the world based on her performance. Her value is in her humanity. We celebrate her life, just because she’s alive. Adorable, little Anna has a lot of growing to do. It’s okay if you also have a lot of growing to do. It doesn’t change your value as a human. If you want to be healthy and happy, you need to make good choices. What you choose today can change your life or your eternity, but it can’t change your value. You are lovely, loved, planned, and treasured.
J. Joy Andregg
Magnolia
