dignity

Dignity: from L. dignitatem (nom. dignitas) "worthiness," from dignus "worth

 

I was watching a man, apparently in his late 30's, walking with his son yesterday afternoon.  The father had an intent look on his face as the boy, about 12, followed him.  I thought about the honor and the responsibility of being a father.  Something about the upright posture and serious expression on the dad's face spoke to me about the dignity of our roles in life.  As a younger man this father may never have envisioned the pressures of the position.  He may have followed his natural desire for passion and companionship, which led to a marriage... and marriage led to an array of new experiences and responsibilities...and marriage led to this son, who now followed close behind his Dad, and probably follows his Dad on a daily basis.  I thought about the dignity of the design that God has laid out.  He builds a culture and a people from individuals who only know enough to follow the next step...the next pull of growth...the next push of circumstance.  And then we grow into the roles we find ourselves in.  The picture of the man striding with his son behind is an appropriate snapshot of God's blueprint.  He takes our desires and drives and directs them  to complete His design for a society and His development of a soul.  The dignity of life comes from the design of the One who has built His image into our lives.  He shows up in the complexity of our bodies as well as the framework of the family.  Our dignity has its source in our Designer.

Genesis 49:² " Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob,

      And listen to Israel your father.

 ³ " Reuben, you are my firstborn,
      My might and the beginning of my strength, 
      The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.

blessings,

Rob Smith