LifeDate Summer 2026 – God Said … And It Was So
by Michelle Bauman, Director of Y4Life.org
The hardest lessons I had to learn were the “Because I said so” lessons.
If you’ve spent time with kids, especially kids who are old enough to ask questions, you know that one of their favorite questions is “Why?”
In many cases, the question is asked in an effort to make sense of the world: Why do I have to stop playing? Why do I have to go to bed? Why can’t I eat all of the candy?
And making sense of the world is good.
We want a child to know why he should stop playing baseball and head indoors when there’s lightning in the distance. We want a child to form healthy sleep habits, habits that will support her mind and body. And we want a child not only to avoid cavities but also to develop eating habits that will provide the nutrients he needs. When children ask why, our answers teach valuable lessons, lessons that will uphold their lives.
But learning those lessons isn’t always easy, is it? Sometimes, learning can be exceedingly difficult, especially if we think we know better than the decision maker.
When I think back on my own childhood, the hardest lessons I had to learn were the “Because I said so” lessons. I’m guessing you had to learn these, too.
Each lesson followed a similar pattern: I’d ask my parents for permission to do something or purchase something, and much to my dismay, they would say no to my request. I’d ask them why, and they would explain. Occasionally, instead of accepting both their reason and role in my life, I’d challenge the decision. And though they were often patient enough to expound on their reasoning, eventually it came down to obedience and trust. The question “Why?” was answered with, “Because I said so,” and that was the end of the discussion.
“Because I said so” lessons are hard, but they are necessary. As children, they not only protect us from the possible consequences of our own poor decision-making, but they also teach us our place in the world. We are not gods unto ourselves; there is, and always will be, someone in authority over us. And we are called to honor and respect authority.
Of course, it’s not just children who struggle against authority; adults do, too. For example, I have yet to meet an adult who eagerly pays taxes. Nor have I met an adult who has always followed the speed limit, let alone done so with a joyful heart.
Our sinful struggle against authority is evident when it comes to life issues as well. God’s command in Exodus 20:13, “You shall not murder,” could not be clearer. Lives, especially innocent ones, should be protected. And it’s not just the Bible that claims this. Laws the world over prohibit murder.
Yet, we also have laws that make exceptions. Abortions are legal in some states. So is physician-assisted suicide. Desperate to have our own way, we’ve made ourselves gods, declaring when and where and under what circumstances we can end a life.
Despite permissive laws, God’s Word doesn’t change. Nor does reality. Lives, both young and old, are precious in God’s sight. In Isaiah 43:1, God proves how precious life is: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Christ died for every human being who was, is, and will be. Each life is valuable because of His redemptive work.
And that’s not all. Genesis 1 and 2 record God’s provision and His creative work in our lives. He not only gives us all things, but His very hands knit us together according to Psalm 139. Written on the palms of His hands, our names and needs are constantly before Him (Isaiah 49:16).
For Life Christians know these things, believe these things, confess these things. Human life is valuable because it is God who creates, redeems, and calls humans to be His own. It’s easy for us to allow God’s yes to be yes and His no to be no. It’s easy for us to embrace God’s “Because I said so.” Isn’t it?
Yes … except when it’s not.
The truth is, pro-lifers struggle with God’s authority at times, too. How many of us can truly say that we rejoice when God decides to take a child home to heaven? Even if it means an end to suffering, wouldn’t we rather have God heal that child? Wouldn’t we rather have her here with us?
And what of the beloved mother or grandmother who is battling breast cancer? When the doctor declares there is no more that he can do, are we ready to accept the diagnosis?
Do we congratulate the couple struggling with infertility? Do we shrug our shoulders at a miscarriage? Do we simply accept the reality that some children are destined for foster care rather than a forever family?
We don’t. Instead, we cry out to the God who gives life and who takes it. We pray for mercy and for life because we know that it is His to give. We petition Him for healing and for comfort. Recognizing that God has the ability to answer, “Because I said so,” we pray for miracles and we remind Him of what He has said. We remind Him of His promises:
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Because we know He can do it, we boldly pray that God would speak life into the ailing child and the woman battling cancer. We pray that He mend what is broken so the couple can conceive. We comfort parents who have lost a child to miscarriage, confident that God is merciful and loving and will gather His children, no matter how small, to Him. And we pray that families may be mended and children may be loved and when it is within our power, we open our homes to them.
But when God decides to do what we hoped He would not, we are indeed called to obedience and trust, knowing “that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
We do not know better than the Decision Maker. We are not God, and we cannot do His work. But we can mourn life’s brokenness. God mourns it, too. That’s why He sent Christ.
Thanks be to God that His grief begets action; His work makes life whole. God resurrects. God takes His people to heaven. And God gives new life for eternity.
Revelation 21:4 reminds us of our victory and hope: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Life IS valuable because God said so, in both this life and in the life to come. Come Lord Jesus, come!
