Old lives matter. Over the past few years, movement after movement in the U.S. has rightfully emphasized the value of many different groups of people. Black lives matter. Police lives matter. Women’s lives matter. Yes they do. They all do! Can we add another group to that important list? Old lives matter too.
In our sinful human natures, we’re always tempted to think that our lives matter more than that of others. We find our value in our own strength and our own accomplishments. So the coronavirus has the potential to bring out the worst in us. For those of us who aren’t so old, have these thoughts come into your mind: “What’s the big deal? It’s just a cold. Why do we have to make so many sacrifices? It’s only going to affect older people…” We can be so sinfully selfish, can’t we? If the coronavirus poses the greatest threat to the senior citizens among us, then it’s time to remember this: Old lives matter too.
Because they certainly matter to God. Listen to his beautiful promise to those of us with lots of gray hair, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 46:4). Regardless of your age, you are never unneeded or unwanted. You are loved! Your worth doesn’t come from your strength or accomplishments. It comes from Jesus! The God who made us and saved us cares for every single person.
Because every life matters to Jesus. In Jesus’ eyes, my 2-year-old son and my 102-year-old grandma have exactly the same value and worth. He gave up us own life to rescue and save both of them—and all of us too. So old lives matter. If taking precautions and making sacrifices and suspending worship services preserves the lives of those with gray hairs around us, then God be praised! What an opportunity for us to show Christian love. May the God who made us carry, sustain, rescue all of us in his grace.
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