Our Worth Before Birth
Our Worth before Birth
by Pastor Natalie A. Francisco, Ed. D.
I once read the following quote from German-born American Physicist Albert Einstein: “The life of the individual only has meaning insofar as it aids in making the life of every living thing nobler and more beautiful. Life is sacred, that is to say, it is the supreme value to which all other values are subordinate.” Now I don’t know whether or not Einstein was a Christian, but I do recognize the biblical truth that is encapsulated in his statement of the value and sanctity of human life and the indelible mark that each person is capable of making upon the life of another and the world. In fact, that is why God created mankind from the beginning.
As I reflect upon the creation of man in Genesis 1:26-28, it further reiterates the truth of Einstein’s statement. God created both male and female in His own image and likeness, and afterward blessed them with the capacity to be fruitful and to multiply. In other words, we not only have the mandate from God to bear fruit, but to do so as He did by reproducing after our own kind. This does not only refer to procreation as many believe and teach, but it also speaks to our purpose as well. Each of us is commissioned to impart what we have learned into others so that their lives are “nobler and more beautiful” simply because they cross our paths.
A woman has the power to influence others to a greater extent than man because of the way we were designed by our Creator. According to Genesis 2:18-24, woman was created to be a helpmeet to man. Consequently, she is flexible, adaptable and comparable to man in any and every way that is needed. In fact, she has so much influence and value that she is able to cause a man to leave his father and mother in order to become joined to her in marriage and to receive everything he previously lacked in the person of a capable, intelligent and virtuous woman. Such a woman is indeed full of value, virtue and victory whether she is single or married.
The New King James Version of Psalm 139:13-18 emphasizes that God created male and female and instilled in both a sense of worth before birth. The psalmist reveals who God created us to be so that we can value in ourselves what He values.
13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are
Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully
wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all
were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum
of them!
18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When
I awake, I am still with You.
I encourage us to hold our heads up, push our shoulders back and walk with confidence, knowing that we are God’s gifts to this world. We are called to impact and impart into others the knowledge of who our Creator is and who we are as His creation. We are God’s chosen, royal and peculiar people according to I Peter 2:9 … peculiar on purpose because, as my husband says, “no one can do what we can do quite like us but us.”
Make an effort today to mentor someone in your circle of influence by reminding them of their innate worth before birth. Take the time to relish the wonders of God’s creative works and decide to leave an indelible mark upon this world by purposefully pursuing your purpose and daring to delve into your destiny. As Einstein said, “The life of the individual only has meaning insofar as it aids in making the life of every living thing nobler and more beautiful.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pastor Natalie A. Francisco, Ed. D. is the Co-Pastor/Minister of Music, Calvary Community Church, Hampton, VA. She is also the Founder/Executive Director of the Women of Worth & Worship Institute. Pastor Francisco’s book, Wisdom for Women of Worth & Worship: Lessons for a Life of Virtue, Value & Victory is now available online and in bookstores.
