Áxios.
Greek ἄξιος, "worthy of", "deserving of", "suitable"
This is a word that describes all of us. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, however I find that it can be difficult to to remember this simple fact as we go about our lives. At times we become so entrenched in the culture around us that we forget these words that our Father tells us always.
It is so easy in our society we live in to become so intertwined in the fabric of popular culture. To believe that all we are good for is working a 9 to 5 job, making a living, and succeeding in the eyes of the public. Even if our faith is at the very forefront of our lives, experience tells us that the pressures of the world can still creep in.
The problem with this overwhelming influence of the outside world is realized when we notice that achieving certain society-established landmarks of life by certain ages dictates how worthy we are as humans to be appreciated, cared for, and most of all (the thing humans desire most)-- loved.
This, however, is clearly shown to be untrue when we look to the Father. We all most likely know this deep down, or at least have heard it repeated to us enough times that we should believe it. But we still so often must fail to internalize it, otherwise we would never feel unworthy of love, especially the love of the Father.
Earlier today I remembered a song that I loved as a child, but hadn’t heard in what felt like ages. The song was “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2. In the simplicity of my childhood, though I had a habit of trying to analyze song meanings, I had never tried to decode this one. Now, listening to it as a 21 year old, it made me stop in my tracks and think about the words that were being sung:
“I believe in the Kingdom Come
Then all the colours will bleed into one
Bleed into one
But yes, I'm still running
You broke the bonds and you loosed the chains
Carried the cross of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believe it”
You see, I feel as though we hear so often of the overwhelming abundance of love that Christ has for each of us individually. That he knows every worry we have and can count the hairs on each of our heads. But I myself still have moments where it seems I disregard what He has told me, and I let society’s measurements of success dictate how I feel about myself, and the love I feel God has for me. This song describes it perfectly. He knows the Truths that God has revealed to him, he knows that God knows he believes it,
“But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for”
These times are difficult for everyone regardless of the stage you are at in your life. Life in itself comes with struggles and trials that make us question our worthiness. If anything, let this article be a reminder to you as much as it is to me, that we will never be fulfilled by reaching the goals that society tells us we must reach. Continue to strive for greatness, but above all strive for Heaven. I will keep on striving to do the same. Because ultimately, he never found what he was looking for in the things of the world, but when we keep our eyes fixed upon the cross and we internalize and believe to our cores in the love that God has for us-- we will finally find what we’ve been looking for.
Because you are worthy.
Lizzie Wenberg is a senior studying strategic communications and fine arts at Kansas State University. She is always ready for a cup of coffee, a good adventure, or a trip to see her favorite band in concert. You can read more of her writings here.