What comes to mind when you hear the word dignity? For me, it evokes a sense of worth. I think of REED’s acronym, Resist Exploitation, Embrace Dignity, indicating an intentional fostering of worth in prostituted women and girls, where the sense of worthlessness is pandemic – and devastating.
In our more ordinary lives of church-going, grocery shopping, child-raising, studying and working, we live out of the dignity of who we are. Or do we? Are we convinced of our worth in Christ and does it really matter?
Living from a place of dignity is gospelized living. Created by our loving Father, identified in Christ, empowered by the Spirit of grace and truth, living from a place of dignity is the salt and light that point to the Source of all worthiness. The invitation is extended to us, His undeserving chosen, His beloved wayward children by dignifying love.
“Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28
“You are precious in my eyes, and honoured, and I love you.” Isaiah 43:4
He gives us rest from living out of a burdened sense of unworthiness. By the grace of God, we extend honour, freedom and love to others, valuing them as worthy of our Creator simply because they are created.
Dignity matters because the gospel matters.
