Truth & Humanity:

So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. -Genesis 1:27

Helen Keller became blind, deaf and mute when she was only 19 months old. Physically she was capable of speaking, but psychologically she couldn’t, for she was shut up in her own self, unable to communicate with anyone in the world. She was frustrated, angry, and irrational. People wondered: what value did Helen’s life have? Today, in the Netherlands, the law would permit her family to terminate her life. In India, she would have been a victim of female infanticide.

Thankfully, Helen was born in an era when the West still believed the Bible that even a deaf and blind girl was God’s image-bearer. Therefore, her nurse, teacher, and maid, Anne Sullivan, cared for her. One day, Anne took Helen to a well when someone was drawing water. Anne put Helen’s hand in the water stream. As Helen was shocked by the sensation of water falling on one hand, Ann started spelling water on Helen’s other hand: first slowly and then quickly. Helen was mesmerised.

Intuitively, she grasped that what was being drawn on one hand was the name of this cool something falling on her other hand. Helen’s world changed as the magic of language made sense. Excited, Helen started learning language. She was still mute but on the very first day she learned words such as father, mother, teacher, brother, and sister. Within weeks, Helen began speaking and learning to use a Braille typewriter. She went on to become a mighty spokeswoman, restoring the dignity of handicapped children all over the world.

What made the difference? Was it her parent’s wealth or the belief that she was valuable? The Bible taught Helen’s culture that a deaf and blind girl was not a useless burden. She was so valuable that God incarnated to give her eternal life. Therefore, the community needed to do all that could be done to help her find abundant life.

Is it true that all human beings have equal value whether they are female or male, young or old, high caste or low, educated or illiterate, rich or poor, healthy or sick, black or white? Are they all endowed with the dignity of being made in God’s image? It was this truth that liberated children from the “dark, satanic mills” of Europe’s Industrial Revolution. It triggered the American Revolution, ending colonialism. It precipitated the American Civil War ending slavery. It still continues to inspire movements for justice and equity.

Challenge Question:

How does the biblical concept of human dignity challenge you to treat every person with respect and compassion? In what practical ways can you apply this biblical principle in your daily life?

Related Scriptures:

● What is mankind that You are mindful of them, human beings that You care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honour. -Psalm 8:4, 5

● If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? -1 John 3:17

● Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. -Psalm 127: 3