Devotional for 1/24/16
People either think of themselves as important to some degree, or of no significance. Sometimes the same person may feel both - important in one situation while at the same time insignificant in another. We may feel we are of the utmost importance to others who depend upon us, like an infant child, while at the same time we may see ourselves as simply a wisp of mist on earth for but a moment in the history of the universe. (James 4:14 "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for little while and then vanishes.")
But what are we to God? We are important enough for him to have created us in his image and to consider us very good (Genesis 1:27, 31 "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them... God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.") We are significant enough for him to know every detail of our lives, including the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:6-7 "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.") And we are precious enough to him that he would submit his Son to torture and death on a cross in order to give us new life with him in heaven (John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.")
Today is Sanctity of Life Sunday in many Christian churches. It is the Sunday where we celebrate that all human life is precious to God from the moment of conception to the time of natural death. It is the Sunday nearest the anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision that legalized abortion. Jane Roe (actual name, Norma McCorvey) says her case was built on lies and encouraged by two ambitious lawyers looking to overturn the anti-abortion law. Her baby was born and adopted before the case was decided. She has since become pro-life, against legalized abortion which has made possible the murdering of millions of pre-born children who are precious to God. But this Sunday also includes honoring the importance of every life, including the elderly, sick and dying. There are many difficult situations that make choosing life an agonizing decision, and we pray for God to guide and direct those decisions. We are ever thankful for God's forgiveness when we have made decisions that may have harmed a life.
Dear Father in heaven, creator of all life. We thank you for making us special and precious in your sight, and for watching over us throughout our lives. Help us to remember not only that we are important to you, but that every life on earth is significant, including the pre-born and the sick and dying. Help us to honor our own life by living to glorify you, as well as others' lives by helping them to the best of our ability. Forgive us when we knowingly or unknowingly show disrespect for anyone's life, including our own, when we don't take proper care of ourselves or others physically, mentally or spiritually. By the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to remain faithful throughout life and to share the good news of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ, your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.
written by Jan Andersen
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