By Kelly Carr 

When I consider all the efforts, prayers, and time that Christians put into helping protect the sanctity of human life in the womb, I feel that we have made a lot of positive change. We care about the unborn lives God has knit together, and it shows. 

What I want to challenge all of us, myself included, to consider is this: how are we doing when it comes to the sanctity of human life outside the womb? 

Seen as Equals?

There are a number of young people dear to me who have syndromes: Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, autism, and others. Am I doing all I can to make sure they are given their best chances to thrive—the same opportunities afforded to children who don’t have these syndromes? 

What about the elderly? Am I doing my part to be sure that those with physical ailments and mental frailties are given the dignity they deserve? Do I share my time and give honor to these generations before me? 

What about the men and women who are living on the streets in my city? Am I offering my time, prayers, and energy to find stability and hope for them? 

What about immigrants? Am I upholding their rights and respecting their desire to become citizens? 

In my everyday interactions, do I treat everyone with the same Christlike love? Whether people have different accents or whether they look different or whether they have been raised with different values—do I look down on them and feel superior or do I recognize their value, equal with the value I wish to have?

Set Apart

Sanctity means being valuable, set apart, holy. We know that God considers all of us to be valuable creations that he has made uniquely and with care. He declared that Jesus’ death and resurrection were intended for all people. We have a great history of fighting hard to allow life to begin in this world. Let’s make sure we continue those efforts once the babies are born and grow up. 

How we do this looks different for each of us. You may be able to spend your time and energy with family members, church members, or community members in one of the categories described above. Or you may be able to donate and support others who are already working hard in these realms. 

But it comes down to our hearts. It’s about looking past politics and past how we voted concerning governmental laws and services. It’s about recognizing that everyone we see is a person created in God’s image. Do we believe that at our core? If so, then let’s make sure our actions proclaim that belief. 

Today we will come into contact with others. Let’s show them the sanctity that God shows to us all.