Dignity

It was an exciting day when the church moved into it's new building. The old building was a rat-infested smelly dilapidated fire trap of disgust (those who have been there know that this description is grossly understated) that God had used to do a great work in people's lives. The new building was clean and fresh and bright and wonderful in every way.

The first Wednesday we were there the 12-step group that had been meeting for several years in the old building held its regular session at the new location. Afterward, several of the group's members asked to meet with me.

They all had concerned looks on their faces and hesitated to speak. One finally asked, "Is it really OK for us to meet in here?" Confused by the question, I answered, "Of course" with a perplexed expression on my face.

A couple of them started to tear up. Another spoke, "No, you don't understand. Most of us aren't allowed in nice places. We've done a lot of bad things and aren't welcome someplace nice like this. Are you sure we can really meet here each week?"

After several more assurances, they left boisterously with a new spring in their steps.

For me, much of the work the Gospel calls us to is like this story. When we can help restore dignity in others in some way we are correctly answering the question "What Would Jesus Do?" I see Him touching the leper, talking with the Samaritan woman, valuing the widow's mite, and accepting the perfume poured over his head. In these and other acts, he restored human dignity.

For those of us who follow Him, we should not be surprised when we have a moment similar to the one experienced by the 12-step group. He has promised to go to the Father's house to prepare a place for us (John 14:2). It's not the kind of place that we would normally be allowed to go. Yet, in it our dignity as one created and loved by Him will be fully restored.

Lord God, as I go about my day help me to begin to restore dignity in the lives of those I meet even as You have done and continue to do in me.