Do you have dignity and value just because you exist? Yes.

 

The Surprising Source of Dignity And Value

I occasionally talk with people who seek a sense of human value; approval as a person; and even personal dignity from certain people in their lives on whom they depend. In other words, they are seeking these very meaningful and profound assurances of significance from other people.

Ironically the people who seek these assurances of significance from other persons are often not respected by the very people from whom they seek this affirmation.

This happens because the people from whom they seek this type of affirmation inherently understand—even if they do not articulate it this way—they cannot be the source of something as significant as human value; approval as a person; and personal dignity. These things must come from a larger and more profound source; a transcendent source.

Of course, there is only one Source that qualifies.

“So God created mankind in his own image,

    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.”

Genesis 1:27

We are image-bearers of God. This is the primary source of our value and dignity.

Answering the Question: "Who Are You?"

For many people, an answer to the question “who are you?” often results in a response involving a vocation or something they do which is very important in their lives. In other words “who are you?” gets this type of response:

“I’m an electrician.”

“I’m a manager.”

“I’m a soccer player.”

“I’m a musician.”

“I run a small business.”

Notice, however, these responses do not actually answer the question “who are you?” rather, they tell us what the person does.

This reality caught my attention because I’ve noticed—even though I know better—I typically do the same thing. My identity is wrapped up in being a pastor of a church. In fact, I hate to admit it because it’s embarrassing, but in my very honest moments I have had to acknowledge to myself that much of my sense of self-worth is tied to being a pastor.

So, in my mind, the equation sometimes tends to work like this: If things are going well at the church and it is relatively healthy, I’m a worthwhile and valuable person. On the other hand, if things are not going well at the church and it is going through a season of not being particularly healthy my value as a person is diminished.

(Please understand, I realize this is unhealthy and incorrect thinking. I am not endorsing this type of thinking I am simply trying to honestly identify it.)

I am reminding myself today that my identity is not based on what I do—neither is yours, by the way. Our identity is rooted in the fact that we were lovingly, intentionally created by God. We do not deliver a higher level of performance in order to have greater worth and value. We already have worth, value and dignity because we are created in the image of God, himself.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14

“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27

Do You Rejoice In The Success of Others?

We may find it difficult to celebrate the success of others. Oddly enough, we may find it difficult to celebrate the success of people we love and care about the most.

It’s strange but the success of others can sometimes feel as if it minimizes our achievements, or magnifies our lack of achievement.

These feelings often have a lot to do with comparison. If we are caught up in comparing ourselves to others and they are experiencing great achievement and success it is likely we will feel that we do not measure up.

Of course, the simple solution is this: Don’t compare yourself to others! But it is so natural for us to compare ourselves to others that it is almost impossible not to enter into this way of thinking. We make the comparisons even though we know we should not. We make the comparisons even though we know it will surely lead to frustration.

In addition to the problem of comparison, the success of others can stir up a desire in us to have what they have. If this happens we are heading down another dead end road. In fact, envy may even be a more troublesome impulse in us than the inclination toward comparison.

The two of them together create quite the double whammy.

As we walk with God and genuinely learn to find our sense of value, dignity and worth in Him, we do not feel threatened by the success of others, in fact, we can truly rejoice in the success of others.

Okay, I admit I’m still a work in progress in this matter. I do not always find myself experiencing wonderful feelings of delight as I rejoice in the success of others. But I recognize the importance, the value, the freedom and the potential joy that comes to those who can put aside comparison and envy. That recognition helps.

Just think how nice it would be to truly live without envy. Think how nice it would be to see someone you know experiencing great success and genuinely experiencing feelings of joy and happiness for the person. That is a significant level of maturity. It is a good way to live. I mentioned the word “freedom” earlier in this post. To be able to rejoice in the success of others is an authentic form of freedom.

This Christ-like attitude is a form of freedom and joy I desire.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice…!” Romans 12:15

A Selfie During The Procedure? Really?

CNN is reporting that Joan Rivers’ doctor took a selfie during the procedure in which she died.

When I encountered this information my initial thought was, “Really?”  That thought was quickly followed up by this one, “This is hard to believe.”  But that thought was very quickly followed by this one, “Sadly, I’m not surprised.”  This story is a reflection of some of the current troubles of our culture, i.e.:

We are obsessed with celebrity.

We seem to be increasingly more irresponsible.  (And this includes people in positions of great responsibility.)

We are extraordinarily self-centered.

We are losing a sense of what it means to behave with dignity.

None of the troubling matters which are mentioned above are new to the human race, of course, but it really does seem like these issues are continuing to increase in ways that are not healthy for a society.  It seems we are no longer ashamed of behaviors and attitudes that genuinely are shameful.  (I know that even using the word “shame” will seem ridiculous to some. It would be sort of amusing if someone read this and thought I should be ashamed of myself for using the word shame, huh?)

I understand doctors are human.  But I really want to believe that during a medical procedure a doctor is intensely and seriously focused on the task at hand not, “How am I going to get a fantastic selfie to share?”

There are people who are on the look-out for signs of moral decay within our culture. This story qualifies.

Taking The Time To Listen

People love it when we take the time to really listen to them.  It is a tremendously respectful action to listen and genuinely attempt to understand what a person is saying.  If we extend this form of dignity to a person, then sometimes, even if we disagree, we might still be able to maintain an authentic friendship that involves courtesy and mutual esteem.

Extending Respect, Dignity & Love To Those Who Ask Questions

When people ask deep challenging questions remember that the goal is not to give a slam dunk answer.  The goal is to try to offer a helpful answer while also extending respect, dignity and love to the questioner.

Image Bearers of God

All people are image bearers of Almighty God.  This helps us understand that just being a person—that simple fact, all by itself—gives a person a status of worth, dignity and value. We humans, alone among God’s creatures, are the only ones created in His own image. So, that should give us all a little shot of self esteem today…we are image bearers of God!

Respecting The Basic Dignity of People

One of the ways that we can express love to others is to respect the basic dignity of who they are as persons. This willingness to show consideration or courteous regard to a person can be done even if we disagree with some of the things the person says or does. “Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.” 1Peter 2:17 [NLT]