Martha Olawale

“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:8

People say life is precious, but how do we determine what ‘precious’ means? It is a relative word that can be interpreted differently. What is precious to one person might not be to another.

In chapter 14 of his letter to the Romans, Paul explains how to balance grace with truth and walk free of the guilt of condemnation. Although each Christian's life will differ, we are safe if we live rooted in Jesus. You don’t keep a million-dollar diamond on the display table; you place it in a secured glass chamber where, although people can admire it, it’s safe from mishandling and theft.

A life surrendered to Christ is shielded from destruction. Although people can see it on display through our actions and reactions and touch it, by how we live, it is secured in Christ. When Jesus is the custodian, He’ll dust off the stains and smudges the world leaves on us, and make us immovable. God's value on His children is worth more than a million diamonds, and the price tag on us is more than any human can pay.

Contrary to the widespread belief that accumulation equals happiness, releasing your life to Christ brings a deep sense of rest and satisfaction. This is because true freedom comes from giving up what we hold dear to our hearts and allowing Christ to shepherd it. If I believe my life is precious, the best place to keep it is in God’s hands, and if I want someone to take care of my family, the best place to hide them is under the cross.

To live in the Kingdom, we must live for the Kingdom because what we live for determines where we end. Even people who don’t believe in God are living for something—themselves or some ideologies. In verses 7-8, Paul writes, “For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

While my feet still work, I want to run where God leads. While my hands can still move, I want to use them to point people to the cross. While my mouth can still speak, I want to talk of God's greatness and sing of His everlasting mercy. While my eyes can still see, I want to look at life through the lens of Christ crucified and see what He sees in people. While my heart still beats, I want every heave to resound Heaven's rhythm and every pant to be after God. While I live, I want my life to be hidden in Christ, my Lord, for there is no greater value than a life lived in Him.