Dignity

Dignity is something I've been thinking about a lot lately, although it was only a few days ago that I could put a label to it.

Dignity: the state or quality of being worthy of honor and respect.

The last couple of months I've experienced more situations that have felt like my dignity was being robbed from me.  And these experiences have forced me to really think about how I/we affirm the dignity of others, and how I/we often fail to do so.

Personal example #1: Having to tell countless people that I lost my job and/or am unemployed.  And that despite a high school diploma, a bachelor's degree and a resume full of experience, no one wants to hire me.

Personal example #2: Showing up at the temp/day labor place at 4:00am with 70 or 80 other folks.  We get bussed down to a factory more than an hour away.  For the next 8-12 hours we do mindless work, get yelled at in languages we don't understand (because apparently my ability to count to 3 is questionable... 1-2-3...?).  We get bussed back, and call in to see if there is work for us tomorrow.  On Friday we go to the check cashing place and pick up our check... for about $50 per day.

Personal example #3: I offer someone close to me a gift.  It's on the more expensive end of things, but it is part of an annual tradition of pampering and bonding with people I love.  I don't give many gifts, so I love paying for this tradition.  My gift was rejected, and I was told that when I have a full-time job they will accept.

These 3 particular experiences, amongst others, have definitely made me subconsciously question how worthy I am of honor and respect, at least in this season of life.  But what grieves me is that while I am able to identify the experiences that have jeopardized my dignity (because they are the exception), there are SO MANY people who are able to identify the experiences that have endorsed their dignity (because they are the exception).

Dignity is dependent on the ability to offer something- whether it be a skill, a service, a resource, relationship, wisdom, whatever.  And when we reject that, criticize it or just don't even recognize it, we send a clear message of lack of worth.  And without worth, I would argue that it is impossible to be worthy of honor and respect.

My challenge to you- go out of your way to see and validate the dignity of every person you encounter.  I guarantee that every single person* has something to offer, even though they might not even know it.  Let someone that has way less money than you pay for your meal or buy you a present.  Ask someone to help you out with a project.  Buy something someone has made with their skills and creativity (like a painting, or a bookshelf).  Point out to someone the ways they are uniquely gifted, and why their life matters.  Tell someone specific ways that they have been a blessing in your life.  Instead of handing someone a buck as you drive by, take them out to eat and ask them about their story.  Just a few ideas...

And on a personal note, if you are feeling a lack of dignity yourself, remember that Christ was often considered undignified and yet He is exalted above all (check out Philippians 2).  And in God's upside-down Kingdom, the last shall be first, the poor shall be made rich, the "wise" will be dumfounded by the "foolish."  Read Hebrews 12... fix your eyes on Jesus.


*Even though I'm sure that I am in the minority on this, I would go so far as to say even a 20 year-old guy that kills his mother, school staff and 20 elementary school students and himself is included in this "every single person"