Whatever Happened to Dignity?
Like me, I’m sure you have your own ideas about women in politics, especially those running for the highest office in the land. Admittedly, women can bring something to the table that might be missing in an all-male setting. But that’s a topic for another day. Peggy Noonan’s recent article in The Wall Street Journal, “The Odd Way We Announce for President Now” (Opinion Page, January 19-20, 3019), stirred my thinking to conclude that we’re all the poorer for the way candidates for the presidency of the United States feel they must present themselves in order to capture the mood of the people.
She noted that female candidates are more carefully scrutinized and often “battered by professional consultants who claim to understand voters, and who tell them to be strong, but approachable, warm but steely, mom but dad, young and bouncy but wise and grave.” How does any woman ever pull that off? “They never say, ‘Let’s just settle down and be mature, as the moment seems to demand it’.”
Playing to an audience is hard. Trends change; people are changeable. But I think we all cry out for authenticity. The truth is we can’t be all things to all people. That’s why I believe scripture is the best place to find guidance for being grown-ups and for learning ways to find favor with God, which may or may not result in finding favor with other people. Primarily, the scriptures tell us that above all else we were created FOR God; we walk before an audience of One.
In writing to Timothy regarding qualifications for church officers, their wives and/or women in general (depending on the version you’re using), the apostle Paul used a word that seems so foreign these days in a culture where “Desperate Housewives” and “Girls Gone Wild” have captured the attention of many; it’s the word dignified. (I Timothy 3:11).
Initially, the word may bring to mind some negative impressions of “aloofness, distant, unapproachable, perhaps arrogant or haughty.” In a biblical sense, dignity (semnos in Greek) means that characteristic of a person worthy of honor and respect, pertaining to behavior that is befitting, honorable and venerable. My Webster 1828 says that dignity is cultivated by a disposition of the mind: “True honor, nobleness or elevation of mind, consisting in a high sense of propriety, truth and justice, with an abhorrence of mean and sinful actions.”
For sure, living a dignified life does not mean living a dull life; there is no biblical prohibition of enjoying a really good belly laugh. God is not a cosmic killjoy! In fact, Jesus had a lot to say about joy. It is evidence of God’s indwelling Spirit in the life of the believer.
Nor should we necessarily think that women should be assigned to a few limited roles. In Christ we have the freedom to exercise our giftedness in ways that fit His calling on our lives and our life’s circumstances.
Ms. Noonan concluded that “as they (candidates) demystify themselves (in order to be relatable), they demystify the office they seek.” Aren’t we all looking for those models of good character who are worthy of respect and honor?
I think that’s the challenge for us as women who are citizens of another country—a heavenly one: to embrace the dignity and honor God has bestowed on us as women (not as men) and to walk in ways that first of all bring glory to Him whether in the home, the work place, or in public office.
