Worthy

Dear Diary,

Today I was scrolling on the socials, as one does when one has a lengthy to-do list. Anyway, I was scrolling and came across a Lenten Devotional entitled “Worthy”.

Of course, I went to my dictionary app to view the full definition. This is a habit for me as I like to make sure I am using words ‘correctly’, or ‘as intended’. Because, in full transparency, some words sound right in a sentence but alas, I’m just out here using it wrongly. But I digress, the dictionary identifies the word as an adjective meaning “of commendable excellence or merit; deserving of one's time, attention, interest, work, trouble, etc.”.

Commendable excellence; DESERVING one’s time, interest, work … WOW! I mean, really, WOW!

Diary, I don’t remember the last time I truly considered myself WORTHY. Yes, I do generally consider that I am “that girl” – flaws and all (yesss prophetess Beyonce!). BUT after reading this definition I had to do a quick self-evaluation (you should feel free to do the same):

• When was the last time you truly felt deserving of the time and effort of others?
• When was the last time you said “no” to the less-than-excellence that was offered?
• How do you define and enforce your standards and boundaries?
  
  

The scripture for the devotional was Colossians 1:10 “… so that you may walk WORTHY of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God”. It is worth reading the full chapter of this Deutero-Pauline letter but this verse reminds us that although by God we are already WORTHY, there are some steps we must take in order to stay the course.

• Walk – our actions. What are we doing?!? Unfortunately, even in the church, we are living in times where people feel like complaining is their full-time job! But those same people, who are filled with complaint and negativity, are rarely working. Our walk includes our prayer, our study, our engagement with our neighbors and the least, the last, the lost.
  IDEA: For every complaint or negative feedback that bubbles up, rather than complaining, instead ask yourself; “What can I do to help make this situation better? When will I make that contribution?
  
  
• Bear Fruit – what people see/hear of us is far louder than any words we could ever utter. This reminded me of 1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. The way we treat others is the truest testament of God within us. We can quote scripture, sing like angels, and pray the house down, but if we do not treat people right (even when no one is watching) then what good is it?
  REFLECTION: Are you bearing fruit? If so, is it sweet? What might need to change in your soil?
  
  
• Grow: we can never be fully whom we are called to be if we stay stagnant, we must expand! Just like house plants that only grow to the extent of the pot in which they are planted, we must continue to expand our surroundings, our learning, and the people with whom we engage.
  ACTIVITY: Keep a journal of things you have learned, books/articles you have read, scriptural passages you have studied (not read, studied).
  
  

Well diary, the long and short of it is that I am writing to you today so that I can remind myself that I am WORTHY! And that the fruit that I bear, the person I am, the way that I move, the way that I BE, also reminds the people I come into contact with that they too are WORTHY. WE are WORTHY because God said so.

Prayer: God, my God, I thank you. Ameen.