Dignity is defined as “the quality or state of being worthy, honored or esteemed”.  Such a man was David, anointed to become king of Israel, yet fleeing for his life from a jealous Saul seeking to kill him without cause.  Hiding in a cave with his men in the Desert of En Gedi, David was positioned to easily take the life of King Saul, who had entered the cave to relieve himself.  In spite of his own men’s urgings, David, a man of dignity and respectful of Saul’s dignity, chose not to take matters into his own hands, but to trust God to resolve the matter and vindicate his honor.

Those who understand the dignity of man given by God treat even their enemies with dignity.  There will always be people who do not live with dignity.  These are those who actively seek to do evil against others because of their own greed, jealously and self-interest.  But people of dignity will not allow themselves to take matters into their own hands and respond to evil with evil, because they understand that God alone is Judge and Just Avenger.  Such a person is free to live with dignity in all circumstances.

FANNING THE FLAME
Train buffs know about the “McCoy Cup”, an ingenious invention of Elijah McCoy that increased the efficiency of locomotives with amazing effectiveness.  In fact, it was so effective that many inferior “copy cats” surfaced to meet the growing demand.  These copies were so poor however, that train engineers began to demand the “real McCoy”.  When confronted by David after he left the cave, Saul realized that David was the “real McCoy” – a man of dignity and honor, unlike himself.

Grandparents, our grandchildren are looking for the “real McCoy”.  Will they find it in us?  May they choose to be like David because we are the “real McCoy” living with dignity and treating others with dignity.

GRANDPAUSE: “The purpose of Christianity is not to avoid difficulty, but to produce a character adequate to meet it when it comes.” – James L. Christensen