“Thou shalt not kill,” Exodus 20:13 as many of us learned it as children. Newer versions translate, “do not murder,” which is a little more specific and suggests questions of intent and planning. Taking a human life is high on God’s list of “don’ts” for us, considering humanity is God’s greatest creation, created in the image of God. Gandhi said, “If you don’t find God in the very next person you meet, it is a waste of time looking for Him further.” We see God in each other, in those on the street, in those behind prison bars and in those suffering in devastation all around us. And they can see God in us. We hopefully do not murder or kill, so as Christians, many of us have not given this commandment much thought. Some debate how it relates to capital punishment, war, or even abortion but let’s save that for another day.

I preached also on the Big Ten at Bruen Chapel, and in doing the research discovered an extension of “do not kill” to consider all the ways we wound, punish, damage, and even destroy others without really thinking about it. While the Israelites and most of the Jewish faith relate the taking of life with the ending of breath, this broader definition makes us accountable for all our interactions with people, to encourage rather than demean, to uplift rather than beat down, to heal rather than hurt. I believe we are wired to be kind and loving, since we are made in the image of God, yet our free will and the world’s influence interrupt our natural gracious gaze on others. And for those who don’t know God, it is up to us to share God’s image, God’s likeness in abundance to encourage, uplift and heal.  So many things can come into a person’s life to tear down, each and every day, and some around us feel the crushing weight. Our focus is to be the opposite of killing, to bring life and light into someone’s dark world. This morning I made a list of all the people in my life who have uplifted and supported me over the years, those who shine wherever they are, whether on the soccer field as volunteer coach, in the cubicle next to an unbeliever, or knitting baby blankets for babies and new moms who have none. We follow God’s commandment not to kill, and instead, we bring life in honor of the Creator who is the ultimate life-giver. Thank you, God for new perspectives, for people who love and go out of their way to care, and for opportunities to share you with others.