Value People

In college I studied mainly sociology – the study of society – and I think I have used my sociological brain in the past couple years more than ever. And in the past few months I have used it in higher gear. It’s not hard to do, and it’s not hard to see with social media posting everyone’s views, thoughts, opinions and feelings. The other place you can see our society is through it’s entertainment – books, movies, tvs, hobbies – which is also more accessible and on demand.


I’ve been on a book binge lately because I found that if I listen to books around the house I get a LOT done. (See? On demand books!) Praise God I’ve been able to stay on top of the mess that is my house (okay, at least more than before). But with all these books I’ve had to come face to face with a lot of truth about our world: it’s history, it’s attitudes, it’s appetites. Honestly, I haven’t been uplifted by the good in people because people are just not generally good. People are naturally sinful. They can make good choices and wise decisions, but they are not generally good.


During Black History Month I wanted to learn and understand more of the history of those who have been so discriminated against. Even though I knew much of what I heard, a new depth of pain for people came up. Key perspectives for me have been: 1) African Americans have been enslaved longer than they have been free in this country and 2) those around in 60s fighting against civil rights are still alive today. Black people are still being treated poorly because it has been so ingrained in our culture. I do see a dramatic difference in how we treat them, and yet I wouldn’t say that everyone in our country has the right perspective yet.


BUT they aren’t the only ones! Jews in Europe had horrible assumptions about them which made the atrocities against them during the WWII easier for the common Europeans to justify. Rich people treated horribly in Communist Russia. Christians captured by ISIS.WHEN WILL THIS END?


Truth is it end when we value ALL people. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. Accepting the God-given differences, giving mercy to the inconveniences they bring (because everyone will be at some point or another), and pointing each other gracefully to truth. Black, white, yellow, red, purple. American, Mexican, Arab, African, European, Asian, Lilliputian. Hick, hillbillies and those “trashy” communities. City, suburban, ghetto inhabitants. Tiny unborn baby, playful children, dramatic teens, feisty 20-year-olds, matured adults, bed-ridden elderly. Until everyone in existence see every single person as valuable, we will not see the peace that we so desperately desire.


Can this happen? No. Because unbiased value is given by God alone.


“For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.”
Psalm 139:13-14


"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17


“This hope will not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5


Creator God, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit can guide and lead us towards all truth and love about ourselves and others. In our flesh, people annoy and anger us even when we are at our most tolerant. We are not perfect like God is perfect. We are not generally good people – we are seen for our wrong until we ask Jesus to be our Lord and to forgive us for our sin.


When we follow Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to fill us and lead us, we will treat people the way we are suppose to. We will see people through God’s eyes and not our own. We will value people. Period!  ​

About Leah

​Leah works with Master Plan Ministries at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Other than watching college students' lives change, she enjoys getting her mind blown by God and His Word, watching sci fi, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her hunky husband. 

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