Humility, Dignity & Identity
There was a period in my life when I barely spoke. My quiet nature earned me a certain level of respect. But with time and conviction, I realised that being admired for silence wasn’t enough, especially as a Christian. I needed more than reverence from a distance. I needed a connection. I needed to open up to allow others to share their concerns with me freely and to be able to do the same with them. Walking this path demanded deep humility but also an unshakeable sense of dignity.
Jesus Christ modelled this balance perfectly. He displayed humility by dining with tax collectors, engaging with the outcast, and walking among the uneducated and socially despised. He called Himself the “Son of Man,” a name that identified Him with us in our weakness and ordinariness (humility). Yet, He never lost sight of His divine identity, referring to Himself at other times as the “Son of God” (Identity). He was humble, yet dignified. Gentle, yet authoritative.
4 Truths About Living a Humble Life
Through personal experience, I’ve discovered four vital truths about living humbly without losing your dignity and sense of identity:
1. People will test your humility and ignore your true worth.
Some will deliberately disregard who you truly are. They’ll relate to you only from the lens of your humility, just as Pilate underestimated Jesus during His trial. But there will also be those, like the crowd that shouted “Hosanna!” as Jesus entered Jerusalem, who recognise your true identity, even when you approach on a donkey.
2. React from your inner strength, not your outer circumstances.
Don’t let external conditions dictate your responses. What is outside is fleeting, but what lies within is eternal. Your true value doesn’t come from titles or possessions; it comes from the character and conviction that live inside you.
3. If you don’t define yourself, others will.
If you’re unclear about your identity, people will gladly define it for you, and they’ll make sure it fits their comfort, not your truth. Know who you are. Own it. Guard it.
4. Dignity is part of your brand.
God has placed unique gifts and qualities within each of us. To make those gifts impactful, we must protect them with dignity and carry ourselves with intentional presence. Even the highest-quality product won’t sell if it’s badly packaged. Presentation matters.
Finally, if you have something meaningful to offer this world, whether a skill, a calling, a vision, or a voice, protect it. Guard your dignity. Because when you lose your dignity, you lose your influence. And when you lose your influence, you lose your office. Once your office is lost, your value diminishes.
Remain humble, but don’t disappear. Be approachable, but don’t be cheap. Stand among men, but never forget who you are in God.
