I have been a follower of Christ for over 20 years. My life has become a journey I never imagined, filled with unspeakable joy and debilitating pain. Yet through it all I have always had a sense that this is who/what I am created to be and do. I am worthy of this journey, able to do more than I imagine because of my worthiness. Lately I have been thinking about the words we use in and through our conversations, expression of our ideas, dreams, fears. The written word has a precision the spoken word does not. When we speak we use words in a looser manner than the written text. I am more thoughtful about my words when writing, I edit and re-edit until it is just right, I am not so careful when I speak. I am not condoning a frivolous disregard for how we use words when speaking, but writing has a more permanent legacy.
A word that is used abundantly in our world is “unworthy”. “Unworthy” is used frequently to express our standing with God. It is used to clearly show and express that we are not on God’s level. My struggle is with the intersection of faith and culture. Our culture uses “unworthy” to express superiority of one over another. We use “unworthy” to categorize others to a position of less-ness, saying they are “unworthy” of something I have. Undocumented people are said to be “unworthy” of citizenship. Groups that think or act differently than another are said to be “unworthy” of sharing another’s place in society. We define “unworthy” as a person who can not be the same as others, needing to have a subjugated standing. So when we use “unworthy” to describe our standing with God and what has been given to us by God, we paint a picture of a person who is less than deserving of God’s gift. I know I am arguing semantics but for me it is essential to how we understand who we are and what we are created to be.
It is essential to use words carefully, most are loaded with meaning and perception that can cause pain or joy or struggle or freedom. Words evoke emotions in us and sometimes that evocation is pain-filled. As the great philosopher, Inigo Montoya once said, “you keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means”, alas our dilemma. We all use words without thinking about their meaning. The meaning could possibly mean something completely opposite of what you think. I understand when I hear someone use “unworthy” to describe my standing with God, but I have had 20 plus years of experience gaining that understanding.
I believe using the idea that we are worthy of God’s love will have a far greater impact on people’s lives than using “unworthy”. Yes, the gift God gave us in Christ is not something we earn or are owed, yet we are all worthy of the freedom that gift brings. When God created people God implanted a spark of divinity in each of us. It is that small wonderful act that says we are all worthy. We are all worthy of dignity, respect, love, compassion, and acceptance. Lets start using worthy to describe our standing with God. Expressing that each of us is created with a value, with a worthiness that connects us to each other and to God.
Imagine a world where we all believe we have value, that we are worthy of love, joy, happiness, peace.
Imagine how that identity would spill over into how we see and treat others.
Imagine…..