Booker T. Washington was a writer who made the statement: "no race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem". Booker T. Washington came from a slave background in the southern USA and was able to educate himself when that task was most difficult for black people. His words were written from experience because in his life, he had the lowest of jobs and also the highest. He learned that no nation can prosper unless there is respect for all citizens regardless of race or culture. His autobiography is entitled: "Up from Slavery" and was written in 1901. It describes his personal experience as a slave child during the Civil War and his difficulty in overcoming obstacles to get an education. He was able to establish the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama to help black people and any other disadvantaged minority people to be educated and have a good position in the work world. He died in 1915.
The thought that was expressed is true today. When a people respect the work they do - no matter what it is, they will also respect themselves and others. Racial differences exist all over the world and cross the boundaries of religion and nationhood. In almost all nations where different races come together, there is a need to develop a respect and understanding for the place in a workforce that every person holds. When we stop and see the result of the work done by those who "till the field" or do jobs that may not seem glamorous, we will understand that those jobs are important. I had a couple of nieces who grew up in the city and they were so shocked to know that milk comes from a cow, that they stopped drinking milk. If they were terribly hungry and a willing cow were right beside them, they would have no idea what to do. They expect milk to come from a bottle or container at the grocery store. They also realize how important milk is in our daily diet.
Writing a poem is an indication of a well educated person. A person who has studied and learned how to use languages and how to communicate feelings through the written word. That is a very important ability, but even the most gifted writer needs to eat from time to time. In our world we make quick judgments as to what is important, but there are times when something very small can become extremely important. Those tilling the fields are not always people who have no talent or knowledge for other sorts of work, some love to work with the soil. Dignity is not only that which others possess, it is a frame of mind that almost any person can achieve. We live in a world that does much to tarnish our dignity and reputation, but there is plenty of room for a person to develop and maintain a high standard of dignity. The words that apply to a condition of dignity within a person are: "praise, honour, glory, commanding respect, magnificence" and such words. It is a condition that shuns haughtiness and gaudiness.
We use the word dignity to signify an attitude. Chamber's dictionary says it is "elevation of the mind or character, elevation in rank, place, degree of excellence." The word dignify means "to invest with honour, to exalt, to lend an air of dignity to." A dignity is "one in a high position or rank, especially in the church." We may say something is beneath one's dignity when it seems degrading - at least in one's own estimation. Dignity can be a set of values that each person possesses which are an indication of how they perceive themselves. It is more the manner in which we carry ourselves than the way others think of us. When we say a person carries themselves with dignity, we usually mean there is a positive air about them that demands respect.
Our Creator addresses the concept of tiller or writer in a slightly different way. The Bible tells us that within the body of the church, we will find a variety of different people. There is also a great variety of different gifts that God gives according to His will. Those gifts may allow one person to excel in one area and another in another area. The intention is for the benefit of all (I Cor. 12:7,11). It is written that the body is made up of a number of different parts, but each part belongs to the body and has a role to play. Paul writes about such parts as the hand, ear or foot and each part does a specific task (I Cor. 12:15-25). Our Creator tells us that each part should care about the other part so that there is unity and no schism. The example of our physical body is excellent because every one of us can relate to the importance of the wellbeing of each part. If we do not take proper care of our little toe, we can develop a corn or sore which will soon make us wish we had paid more attention to the toe. Within the appointed positions of the church there are some which we would declare as places worthy of greater or less dignity or honour. The lesson Paul taught was that each part is deserving of honour and care.
Booker T. Washington's note is a reminder that in our nation or society there are many tasks that need to be done. It is also obvious that there is a great difference in the ability of each member of the nation or society. We have the very young and the very old, the healthy and able and the not so healthy, the gifted and the not so gifted. We have people who love to work with their hands and those who love to work with their minds. We have people who blossom and shine in a crowd and some who prefer solitude. All are human beings and are created in the image of God. We also have people who due to no fault of their own are not able to receive an education or training that would allow them to reach different levels that they could achieve, but circumstances of birth and such things as poverty or war can interfere. There are nations in which the education of females is prevented by the ruling and dominating male members.
It has always been the intention of God that people should learn to care for one another without consideration as to race, station, culture or religion. There are great differences in some of these fields and sadly enough there have been great conflicts over the millennia. As a world of nations, races, cultures and peoples, we have not learned to live side by side with respect for the dignity of others. We have not learned that the value of each human life is great, regardless of their station or position in life. We have not learned to love mankind as our Creator loves mankind. God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son to rescue it (John 3:16,17). John wrote that God sent His Son into the world that we might live through Him (I John 4:9). The lesson we are to learn is that we are to love the people of this world just as God does because if we are to learn about Him, we also learn to love. "He who does not love does not know God for God is love (I John 4:8). That sort of love directs respect toward all people - the tiller and the writer alike.
It is naïve to believe that we can respect and love every single person on earth. There are those who murder, cheat, lie and abuse others. There are some who are wicked and evil and not worthy of respect. God knows that far better than we do. We are also told to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matt. 5:44-48). These words underline the importance of each person acting and speaking with dignity. Without believing that your personal dignity is important in your life, one cannot see the dignity of others. The way you dress, walk, talk and live reflects what you think of yourself. Work on your dignity as God is working with the people of this world. He judges, corrects, punishes and blesses. That is His great work. His children are to live among those who are not yet called to be His children in a way that shows respect for all. We should hope and pray that those who need to change will do so. In this world, there are many people struggling to provide the necessities of life. There is hope for all and when we as children of God reach out a hand that cares for others, we are doing that which Jesus did. Jesus said He sends the children of God to shine in this world just as He was sent (John 17:18). Jesus bore His dignity with grace as He loved this world. Our standards are to be dictated by God. Go your way, do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God, but stand tall (Mic. 6:8). Become a son of God so that He receives all the glory and others benefit from your light.