I Am Your Favorite

I think at one point everyone wants to be the favorite. In first grade because I did well with studies the teacher let me be the milk monitor for our class. Each day I would go down to a refrigerator and pull out a case of small milk cartons. The favor? I was allowed to receive 2 chocolate milks for my efforts each day. I was the favorite.

Many have tried to curry favor with another in an effort to receive goods, money, attention or something else. But what about working with God?Does God play favorites? I think so on some levels. I am not talking about love that never leaves, being forsaken or passed by but by receiving favor. Job tells of receiving life and favor by God’s appearance. Despite David’s adultery and murder he had favor with God while Saul lost his.

Last week my friend Mark spoke on stewarding favor. I had not heard it worded like that and yet as I listened, I realized that is exactly what we do when we receive. We open our hearts to Him, avoiding the pitfalls open before us and if we do anything it is that we sow favor to others.

At 58 I am in a growth curve. Hugely. The last 3-4 weeks have been major. I see things changing quickly in my life. I recognize some is just unraveling, understanding and most of all favor. Favor makes things personal. Makes them desirous. Makes them compelling. Favor makes things happen!

When Ruth received favor, she received it all. When Esther found favor with the king it over came her circumstance. Overcame her fear. One must read the background to figure out why they received favor. (Your job, not mine.) What positioned them for such favor? How could Joseph have favor in prison when so many had none in the palace? Just because you are some where does not mean you are some body!

And while favor is not just about money or possessions, I do not think you can have favor and not receive either of those. Grace has one definition of being “unmerited, undeserved favor.” So, here is the question. If all are given grace why do we not see favor bursting at the seams? I believe it is because to receive something is humbling. I am not talking about you work therefore you receive a paycheck. What about the undeserved? Can our fragile egos handle not being in control of the giving?

Years ago I took a ministry friend out for lunch. I wanted to bless my pastor. While at the buffet he made arrangements to pay the bill. When I returned to the table I saw the waitress walking away with the money. I was angry. I was upset. I WANTED TO BLESS HIM! His response to my anger was “Lee, would you deny me a blessing?” Instantly I was humbled. God had seen my heart to give. (I received favor.) But He revealed some flaws in my design so to speak.

God does not give favor to one because they are “better” but perhaps it is because they have learned to live in the house rather than the field. (Luke 15:11-32) The older son could not see the inside of His father’s house. His heart. He fumbled. He got angry.

We are in a season of tremendous favor. Are we positioned for it? God has placed us in heavenly places but is our mind open to the fact of receiving. For many years we had emphasis on giving (I do believe there is a giving that gets. Cornelius {Acts 10:23-33} was an example of that.) but I think we de-emphasized the ability to receive. I think we need to be present with Him.

Favor changes everything. Position yourself to be His favorite.