Today I have a day off. There was a raffle at work and I won today off. So I am happy. But the announcement of winning at 5PM last night made me realize that while winning a day off was nice, I had not “planned” for it on some levels. What I mean by that is to have the day off meant some things like locating a team mate to take over my calls, emails and such. It meant I had to program my phone, my email and make sure nothing was “hanging fire”.

Now one of my friends who is a believer suggested this was the favor of the Lord. Another unbeliever suggested the same thing. It may have been. But what it lead me to realize was two of the thoughts below.

One is about favor itself. What is it? According to the scriptures, it is this. Psalm 90:17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! I have to think about that. Establish the work of our hands. Esther had favor. But she did “no work”. But somehow she was “loved more” more than the others.

So favor appears to be “fickle” in some regards or serendipity. But it is the surprise that seems to attach itself to it.

I am not saying my winning of a day off was not favor. But honestly, I would probably have given me more sales or more clients. Winning the day off revealed some hard hearts to me. It was uncomfortable. (What is weirder was I only had 2 entries while some had well over 50 and even some with 100 plus. There is even more to this part, but…) Favor reveals your heart (Will you be humble?) and other’s hearts. Truly, I felt a little embarrassed to win.

And that brings me to the second topic. Preparation. When the favor of the Lord is bestowed upon you, how will you respond? I think to continue receiving favor, there is an attitude behind it. I am not sure what it is, but I suspect it is humility. Even the willingness to accept and know it is “okay”.

But preparation also requires faith. “When I win” or “when this happens” will I be prepared” For Esther her life changed. For me, I had to spend the next half hour or so, getting the final touches on a few things. But, I can truly say, I had little to do, because I maintain my work space. I would be surprised if an “emergency” occurred on my end. Like I forgot something, or I left things to do.

We all want favor. Yesterday’s win really challenged me on a few levels. It left me with questions.

• Am I ready for favor?
• Am I prepared for favor?
• When God knocks, can I go? (”Let the dead bury the dead.” “I have a wife, a cow…Facebook calls!”)
• Is my house or office space in order?
• Is my emotional state and demeanor ready?
• Can I accept His terms or the conditions of favor?

I think too many say “no big deal” when it may require more than you think.

That said, I am going to enjoy today. Catch up with some correspondence, touch base with some friends and clear some decks, perhaps all preparation for the next round of favor.