Worthy

When someone says to me, “God gave me a word,” I’m often cynical toward what’s about to come next.

That’s probably not the best posture to take, but I’m just being honest. That kind of language has often been tied to faith expressions and traditions that make me uncomfortable—not because I don’t believe God speaks, but because I’ve seen how quickly those words can drift from Scripture, humility, or accountability. I never quite know what I’m supposed to do with it. Do I affirm it? Question it? Brace myself?

So when I say, “God gave me a word,” just know—I already made myself squirm a little.

Recently, I was praying about where God would have me focus in the life of our church and within our worship ministry. Not in a dramatic, lightning-bolt way. Just the ordinary rhythms of prayer, Scripture reading, and the soundtrack of songs that tend to live in my head. Somewhere between verses I was reading and melodies looping in the background, I couldn’t shake a single word:

Worthy.

It didn’t feel novel or clever. It didn’t feel especially “new.” But it felt persistent—like something I wasn’t meant to move past too quickly. Almost as if God was pressing this truth into focus: the church needs to fully realize the worth of Jesus again.

Not just that He is worthy—we say that all the time—but:

• What He’s worth
• Why He’s worth it
• And how we actually proclaim His worth with our lives, not just our lyrics

Because if we’re honest, “worthy” is a word we use fluently but often thinly.

We sing it.
We say it.
We assume it.

But familiarity has a way of dulling weight. Words that once carried awe can slowly become placeholders—true statements that no longer stop us in our tracks. We affirm Christ’s worth, yet functionally treat Him as one voice among many competing for our attention, our affection, and our obedience.

Scripture doesn’t speak of Jesus’ worth casually.

In Revelation 5, heaven doesn’t politely acknowledge Jesus. It erupts:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”

Why? Because worth is not declared in a vacuum—it’s revealed through sacrifice. Jesus is worthy because He was slain. Because He bore sin. Because He conquered death. Because redemption came at a cost we could never pay.

The worth of Christ is inseparable from the cross.

And this is where I think the church—especially those of us who lead, serve, and sing—must slow down. If Jesus is truly worthy, then worship cannot be reduced to a musical moment or an emotional high. Worship becomes the natural response of a people who have seen clearly.

Worship flows from vision.

If we see Christ as useful, we’ll engage Him pragmatically.
If we see Him as inspiring, we’ll admire Him occasionally.
But if we see Him as worthy, we will order our lives around Him.

This has implications far beyond a Sunday gathering.

A church that knows Christ is worthy doesn’t ask first, “Do I like this?” but “Does this honor Him?”
A worship team shaped by Christ’s worth isn’t driven by preference, platform, or performance—but by reverence.
A believer captured by Christ’s worth doesn’t compartmentalize faith, but submits every square inch of life to His lordship.

To proclaim His worth is not merely to say the right words—it’s to live in a way that makes sense if Jesus really is who we say He is.

So yes, maybe I did receive “a word.” Not one detached from Scripture. Not one elevated above it. But one deeply embedded within it—a reminder that the church doesn’t need novelty as much as it needs clarity.

We don’t need to move on to something new.
We need to see something ancient more clearly.

Jesus Christ is worthy.

Not because we say so.
But because of who He is.
Because of what He’s done.
And because of what He deserves.

My prayer—for myself, for our worship ministry, and for our church—is that we would not merely sing about His worth, but live as though it’s true.