In my women’s Bible study we are doing an Andy Stanley study called “Breakaway.” This week he made a statement that greatly impacted (convicted?) me. He said that, if we could all remember this one truth throughout our day, it would make a huge difference in our world. The statement is this – “Every person you lay your eyes on is someone for whom Christ died.” Typically, as humans, we ascribe value to those who give some value to us. For instance, Andy said that, when someone introduces him and simply says, “This is Andy Stanley,” the person kindly says hello and shakes his hand. But if “He is Charles Stanley’s son,” is added on to the introduction, the person meeting him seems overly joyful and steps a little closer to him, shaking his hand more adamantly (in some circles, Charles Stanley is quite famous). They obviously valued Andy more because of his father.
But to God, each person is equally valued. No one person is more “famous.” If we could see all people as deeply valued by God, maybe we would treat them differently. My parents have always treated people very kindly, so I learned this well from a young age. Although sometimes I can, admittedly, still be critical and judgmental. I loved this study… what a profound truth. God doesn’t value John Travolta or John Piper or John from the street any differently, but would I be equally excited to spend time with any of these? To whom would I express more kindness or attention?
All people have extreme value to our Father. He loves no one person more than the next. I have tried to focus on that this week. I hope to not lose sight of it. I have so much to learn, but this is a big step. My life is meant to be lived to show people who Christ is. The way I treat each person is a testimony to whom I follow. If I am to represent Him well, I will see each person as He does – with utmost value.
