Dignity

Indeed I shall continue to rejoice, for I know that this will result in deliverance for me through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain (Phil. 1:18b-21).

My father has been in the hospital for a week now, and it will likely be several more weeks before he can come home. Although he came through his hip surgery very well, the most difficult part of his recovery– physical therapy – is still ahead of him. It is hard to watch this man aging before me. When I was a child, I watched him fix anything and everything that was broken. My mother never had to call a plumber or electrician; Dad could fix it. He seemed to have the answer to any question I might ask and, like most children, I believed my Dad could do anything. It's hard to imagine that person now as I watch him struggle just to sit up on the edge of his bed, facing the prospect of having to learn to walk all over again.

Some would say he's been robbed of his dignity. And yet, it is exactly in such circumstances that the rest of us find our dignity in its purest form – that of giving of ourselves in service to another. At times, I’ve kind of envied the doctors and nurses as I’ve watched them in the critical care unit of the hospital. Their work has such an incredible and immediate impact on people. Sometimes they do extraordinary things like bringing a patient in "Code Blue" back from the brink of death. More often, though, they do little things like bringing patients an extra blanket, helping them eat, turning them in bed or bathing them. I believe that such acts truly mirror the dignity of God Himself. This same dignity has been given to us by our Creator who is mindful of us, and who has made us little less than a god, and crowned us with glory and honor (cf. Ps. 8:6).

Some people measure their self-worth - their "dignity" - by their accomplishments. Others put great stock in their pedigree, being born or marrying into the most well-to-do family possible. Dignity, though, is not found in riches or accomplishments, but rather in knowing who we are and, more importantly, knowing the One to whom we belong. Our true dignity is revealed when we assume the disposition of a servant in imitation of our Savior who did not come to be served but to serve (Mk. 10:45). It is this Suffering Servant, whom the prophet Isaiah foretold, who has called us to be His own, and has chosen us to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to those who love Him (James 2:5).

Prayer Request: For the old and infirm, for the disabled and those who feel they have no worth or dignity.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have called us out of darkness into Your own wonderful light. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You. Help us to always remember that our dignity is given to us as Your gift and what You have given, no one can take from us. We ask this in the Name of Jesus, Our Savior and Lord. Amen.