The Potential of a Life-Lydia Huffstutler
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, in Act 4, Scene 5, Ophelia says, “We know what we are but not what we may be.” This quote shows just how much each individual has the potential to be used by God in amazing and unexpected ways. He made each and every human being, including every unborn child. Humanity is a beautiful thing that God created for one purpose: to glorify Him with their lives. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Additionally, God created human beings with a free will. With this free will and God’s gifts to every human being, each individual has the potential to live his life for Christ, or to reject Christ and live against Him. A life’s potential can be evaluated through a life’s value, a life’s purpose, and the lives that are unjustly taken.
First, a life’s potential can be evaluated through a life’s inherent value. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Every single human being bears God’s image which means that each person has intrinsic, unchangeable value. Each person is worth the same. The world tends to believe that a person’s value is based on what that person can accomplish. This leads to the belief that unborn babies have no value because they have not accomplished anything (Myers 207). Furthermore, God has given gifts to His image-bearers that are unique to each individual. Some examples of these gifts are music, art, communication, athletics, and many others. It is the individual’s choice what to do with these God-given gifts.
Second, a life’s potential can be evaluated through a life’s purpose. Human beings had a God-given purpose in the beginning of the world: tend to the Garden. With the resurrection of Jesus Christ, humans have a new purpose: glorify Him. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose” (George). God created humans for this purpose and has given them individual, unique gifts that can be used to further this cause. The world, however, is blind to this purpose. The people of the world have a gaping hole in their heart that they do not know how to fill. They attempt to fill it with things like drugs, alcohol, sexual immorality, and technology. None of these things will satisfy. Christians are blessed to know the One who gives them purpose and meaning in life.
A life’s value and a life’s purpose are key to a life’s potential. Humans bear God’s image and therefore have inherent value. God created each human being with unique gifts. With Christ’s resurrection, humans have a purpose in this world, and they use those God-given gifts for that purpose. Consequently, every person has the potential to glorify God because God created them for that purpose and gave them gifts that would help them fulfill that purpose. Each person has the potential to be used by God. It is the individual’s choice whether to use those gifts for God’s glory or to use them for their own selfish purposes. This raises a question for each human being: “What are you going to do with the potential God has given you?”
J.K. Rowling once said, “We’re all human, aren’t we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving” (Laurinavicius). Each baby is worth saving, no matter how small or how many weeks he or she has been in the womb. God cares about each and every one, and He has given each of them unique gifts as well. God gave each baby individual DNA that was created for a purpose (Baptist For Life). A baby whose life is unjustly taken cannot use these gifts for His glory in this fallen world. The baby will never have the chance. Genesis 9:6 says, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man” (Baptist For Life). What must be done to stop these unjust killings? What can those who have a voice do to stop this? First, those who can must speak up. Unborn babies do not have a voice. Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” This is a command; God commands those who are able to speak up for those who cannot. Secondly, each individual’s rights must be recognized. All human beings have the same rights. The Americans United for Life website says, “We stand alongside every American man, woman, and child to uphold their human dignity and their human rights as we strive for the day when all are welcomed throughout life and protected in law” (Americans United for Life). Christians must follow God’s commands and help those who cannot help themselves.
In conclusion, each person was specially made in the image of God and for a purpose: to glorify Him. Each individual was tailored by God, perfectly molded to be useful to Him, if only they choose to use their gifts for Him. This is a life’s potential, which can be evaluated through a life’s value, a life’s purpose, and all the lives that are taken. Each person should have the opportunity to use this precious, God-given potential. And how can an individual use this potential if their life is cut off before they even glimpse God’s world with their own eyes?
Works Cited
Americans United for Life. “Pro-Life Advocacy.” Americans United for Life,
https://aul.org/advocacy/.
Baptist For Life. “How Much Does God Love Life?” Baptists For Life of Wisconsin, 15 October
2024, https://bflw.org/how-much-does-god-love-life/.
George, Elizabeth. “Recognizing God’s Purpose for You.” Jim & Elizabeth George, 20 February
2024, elizabethgeorge.com/blogs/devos/recognizing-god-s-purpose-for-you.
Laurinavicius, Tomas. “J. K. Rowling Quotes on Life, Writing & Books.” Best Writing, 24 April
2024, https://bestwriting.com/blog/jk-rowling-quotes/. Accessed 5 December 2024.
Myers, Jeff. Understanding the Culture: A Survey of Social Engagement. David C. Cook, 2017.
Submitted by Lydia Huffstutler