In light of all that is going on, I think it is about time we talk about value. Before we talk about value, we have to talk perspective for I feel our perspective feeds what we value. If we have a human perspective, than this world and all that is in it is the only thing to be valued (YOLO_You Only Live Once, right?!). If you have an eternal perspective, than life beyond Earth and what happens in eternity has just as much value, if not more, than life on earth.
We can all agree that trophy hunting is wrong. I think we can also all agree that selling body parts as if they were a pair of shoes is also horrifically wrong. However, what do we value more? In this life, in our humanness, we place value on things. It's just the way it is. We, as individuals and a collective society, have to determine what we value.
"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames." 1 Corinthians 10-15
These verses kind of remind me of the story, The Three Little Pigs. What I use to build my house determines whether it survives. Same for what we value. If I have an eternal perspective (believing there is life beyond death), than what I lay here on earth, what I value matters. Human lives matter to me. And dare I say, they matter more to me than animals. Let me say this, I am an animal lover. If I could live on a farm and own various animals, I would in a heart beat. But if a wolf got onto our land and I had to make a choice between my dog and my son, hands down, I would save my son. So, I guess one might say I value human life more than animals. As much as I want to believe that my pets will one day be with me in Heaven, I honestly don't know. However, I do know that I want to see the people I love and the people of this world in Heaven and that is what I value.
If we value this life only and the things of this world, they will burn up at the end of it all. This doesn't mean we don't fight for justice and for cruelties to innocent animals to be stopped. It just means that we fight for those who cannot speak for themselves all the much harder.
I don't like to get political but when Scott asked me what I was writing, I told him I was doing just that. He asked when I was running for office and I jokingly said I'd be like Trump if I ever ran; a total disaster because I am so passionate. He then let me know I'd be a poor Trump since I don't have billions to run my campaign. Anyway, I digress. In reality, what we value does not have to be political. It's a belief issue. If you believe that this world is all there is, then what you value will look different than someone who has eternity on their mind.
My question isn't whether or not killing a protected species is wrong. We all know killing for a trophy is nothing less than boosting an ego that doesn't need any more filling. It's wrong. My question is, when are we going to value human life as much as we value an animal, or our income, fancy clothes, or Hermes handbag? This isn't just about defenseless babies being aborted and sold for parts (which is incomprehensible and beyond grotesque), but it's also about the starving, hurting, and struggling. When are people going to matter more than stuff? It is about time we look internally and determine what we value.
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
Love & Blessings,
Meg
We can all agree that trophy hunting is wrong. I think we can also all agree that selling body parts as if they were a pair of shoes is also horrifically wrong. However, what do we value more? In this life, in our humanness, we place value on things. It's just the way it is. We, as individuals and a collective society, have to determine what we value.
"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames." 1 Corinthians 10-15
These verses kind of remind me of the story, The Three Little Pigs. What I use to build my house determines whether it survives. Same for what we value. If I have an eternal perspective (believing there is life beyond death), than what I lay here on earth, what I value matters. Human lives matter to me. And dare I say, they matter more to me than animals. Let me say this, I am an animal lover. If I could live on a farm and own various animals, I would in a heart beat. But if a wolf got onto our land and I had to make a choice between my dog and my son, hands down, I would save my son. So, I guess one might say I value human life more than animals. As much as I want to believe that my pets will one day be with me in Heaven, I honestly don't know. However, I do know that I want to see the people I love and the people of this world in Heaven and that is what I value.
If we value this life only and the things of this world, they will burn up at the end of it all. This doesn't mean we don't fight for justice and for cruelties to innocent animals to be stopped. It just means that we fight for those who cannot speak for themselves all the much harder.
I don't like to get political but when Scott asked me what I was writing, I told him I was doing just that. He asked when I was running for office and I jokingly said I'd be like Trump if I ever ran; a total disaster because I am so passionate. He then let me know I'd be a poor Trump since I don't have billions to run my campaign. Anyway, I digress. In reality, what we value does not have to be political. It's a belief issue. If you believe that this world is all there is, then what you value will look different than someone who has eternity on their mind.
My question isn't whether or not killing a protected species is wrong. We all know killing for a trophy is nothing less than boosting an ego that doesn't need any more filling. It's wrong. My question is, when are we going to value human life as much as we value an animal, or our income, fancy clothes, or Hermes handbag? This isn't just about defenseless babies being aborted and sold for parts (which is incomprehensible and beyond grotesque), but it's also about the starving, hurting, and struggling. When are people going to matter more than stuff? It is about time we look internally and determine what we value.
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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