Every Life
“Every life matters, every story matters, and every person matters.” Pastor Drew Shofner recently made this statement in his message to The Church at Severn Run.
This statement is a powerful declaration of the value and dignity of human life. It recognizes that every individual, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances, is uniquely valuable and deserving of respect and care. This idea is not only supported by our common sense of morality, but it is also affirmed by the teachings of the Bible.
Every life matters.
We are all created in the image of God. In Genesis 1:26-27, we read, “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Clearly every human being is created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore possesses inherent dignity and worth. This means that every life, regardless of age, race, gender, or ability, is sacred and valuable.
Every story matters.
God cares about our individual experiences and stories. In Psalm 139:13-16, we read, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” This passage affirms that God is intimately involved in our lives, and that every individual is fearfully and wonderfully made by Him. Therefore, every story, every experience, and every journey is valuable and significant in God’s eyes.
Every person matters.
Jesus came to save all people, regardless of their background or identity. In John 3:16, we read, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This affirms that God’s love is all-encompassing, and that He desires to save all people, regardless of their race, gender, or social status. Jesus Himself reached out to those who were marginalized and outcast in society, including the poor, the sick, and the sinners. Therefore, every person, regardless of their past or present circumstances, is valued and loved by God.
We are all part of the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Paul writes, “Just as a body has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ… If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” This passage affirms that we are all connected to one another through our relationship with Christ. Just as each part of the body is necessary for its proper functioning, so too are each of us necessary for the proper functioning of the body of Christ. When one person suffers, we all suffer, and when one person rejoices, we all rejoice. This interconnectedness highlights the importance and value of every person, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. We are all part of the same body, and each of us plays a unique and important role in the work of God in the world. Though every individual has unique gifts, talents, and roles to play in the body, each is equally important and necessary. T
Every life, every story, and every person matters.
We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” These words show that love for God is inseparable from love for others, and that we are called to treat others with the same dignity and respect that we desire for ourselves. Every life, every story, and every person is to be treated with compassion, kindness, and empathy.
Pastor Drew’s statement that “every life matters, every story matters, and every person matters” is not only a powerful affirmation of the value and dignity of human life, but it is also supported by the teachings of the Bible.
We are all created in the image of God and possess inherent worth and dignity. Our individual stories and experiences matter to God, who cares for us deeply and desires to save all people. As followers of Christ, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to treat every person with compassion, kindness, and respect. Finally, we are all part of the body of Christ, and each person, regardless of their role or position, is important and necessary for the functioning of the body.
May we embrace this truth and seek to honor the value and dignity of every life, story, and person that we encounter.
JG
Want to know more about how much you matter to God? Text “I matter, tell me more.” to 410-936-4252.