Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers? (Job 31:15).
On the occasion that you pick up the daily newspaper and look at the obituaries, most of us pay little if any attention to the names whom we do not recognize. When it happens to be someone you do know, you feel a sense of sadness depending on the relationship you had with that person or their loved ones. One day I read that two people, a mother and daughter, were murdered. Their names didn’t register with me, but afterwards when I saw their pictures – I realized that I had met the mother years before. I also recognized the daughter from being a customer in a store where she had worked. I was surprised to learn how they had died, and I felt empathy for the shock that those who had known them well must be feeling.
On March 11, 2005, Ashley Smith was a 26-year old waitress in Atlanta simply trying to get her life in order. She was a struggling mother and widow dealing with substance abuse, attempting to regain custody of her five-year-old daughter. That evening after she had finished work, Brian Nichols, an escapee from a rape trial, forced his way into her apartment where he held her hostage for seven hours. Earlier he had stolen a gun from a sheriff’s deputy and shot a judge and court reporter before fleeing. As Smith was held by her captive, she appealed to his humanity telling him about her daughter and asking about his own infant son. She read passages to him from Rick Warren’s bestselling book “The Purpose Driven Life”. She says that both of their lives were changed that night. Nichols’ heart was softened, and she came to terms with her drug use and was faced with the question “Do you want to do this, or do you want to have a different life?’ In the ensuing years, she wrote a book “Unlikely Angel” telling her story. She married, gained custody of her daughter, and states that by the grace of God, she hasn’t used illegal drugs since the day before that event. In 2015, a faith-based film called “Captive” was released sharing her true-to-life revelation.
We live in a time when human life is no longer regarded as special, let alone sacred. Unless we have developed a connection with another individual, it becomes quite easy to write them off or simply ‘unfriend’ them on our social media page. God values each life. It is sacred to Him. We are created in His image. We are His most prized possession. Jesus said “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:6-7). God’s interest in the smallest details of human beings isn’t limited to the disciples or a chosen few. God is that intimately aware of and interested in each of us. After all, Jesus reminds us that “I come that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). The abundant life that He promised has nothing to do with collecting more earthly treasures. It has everything to do with developing the right relationship with God through faith in Christ and accordingly being able to spend eternity in His company.
Paul informs us that all human beings “live, breathe, and all else” because of God (Acts 17:25). God surrounds His children with His presence. There is no place we can go, no word we can say, no action too insignificant for God not to notice. The relationship we build with our Creator will enable us to exhibit more genuine love toward our fellow man, just as He has for us. Pastor and author Chuck Swindoll once said: “Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitudes toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is ten percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it.” The sanctity of life must always be respected. The unborn child, the person with a disability, older and infirm individuals, those with diverse or ethnic backgrounds different than our own – He cares for every one of us, and so should we. God says that you are valuable regardless of who you are – for through His eyes, each life matters.
REFLECTION: Do you sometimes feel inferior or superior to others around you? What is it about that person that makes you think he or she is better or lesser than you? Do you really think that God loves you any differently than they? Is it enough for you to know that God considers your life to be sacred? In what ways might you reflect your understanding of His vast love for you? Take a look at the trailer for the movie “Captive” and find a copy to watch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5uT7tp2mC4
A NEW LOOKUP DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., FEBRUARY 6, 2016. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.