Some people are born into families where there is no shortage of money and the advantages that it can bring – housing in a ‘nice’ area, lifestyle and educational opportunities. Others are born into poverty or war-torn countries, perhaps with physical disabilities that make life even harder. It seems an injustice that some have an easy life full of advantages whereas others have few or none. Either way, every child needs to be deeply loved by parents and have stability within family, but many do not have even this, whether or not the parents are affluent. How do you feel about your own circumstances – were you born with ‘a silver spoon in your mouth’ or with ‘a worker’s trowel in your hand’? How does it then seem in relation to God – do you feel you’re living with his favour on you or do you feel alienated and condemned by life’s injustices?
- ‘As much as we thirst for approval we dread condemnation’ – Hans Selye
- ‘I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism’ – Charles Schwab
Having to live up to someone else’s expectations can be exhausting and can actually prevent you from reaching your potential. If we are driven to seek the approval of others then we are choosing to live with continual insecurity, feeling secure only until we sense some kind of disapproval. This falls way short of living in a healthy mutually accepting relationship, the kind that we might hope for in those nearest and dearest. There’s a story told of a child that turns up at The White House to see the President of America but he has no appointment – once the identity of the child’s father is known to be the President, he is ushered into the favoured presence passing through every barrier. The child is always welcome to approach his or her father, regardless of school results or what others think of him or her.
You might long for that but think that too much water has gone ‘under the bridge’ and the gap is too far for that sense of intimacy and favour to be restored. Is it lost for ever? Do you not recall the story that Jesus told of ‘The Lost Son’?
- ‘The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son”. But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate’ – Luke 15:22-24
The point Jesus was making is that the mercy and favour of God is just waiting for you, even if you have ‘messed up’.
- ‘If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?’ – Romans 8:31-32
- ‘Whoever finds me finds life and obtains favour from the Lord’ – Proverbs 8:35
Perhaps you’ve never yet realised that God is calling you into his favour, that Jesus came so that you might come into ‘the year of the Lord’s favour’. What Adam and Eve lost in their disobedience, Jesus came to restore. At the very beginning of his public ministry, Jesus takes the scroll in the Temple and reads this from Isaiah 61:
- ‘The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour’ – Verses 1-2
Jesus came to restore this favour to us. If you are thinking that you don’t have the favour of God, then think again.
- ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests’ – Luke 2:14
It’s time to believe or re-believe this gift is actually for you. This is truly God’s plan for you, to live in his favour – there is a gift label with your name on it so step up and receive it. God’s favour brings complete security and means you no longer need to seek it from others. God’s favour brings complete security and means you no longer need to seek it from others.
Close and Personal (connect4life.org.uk)
TAGS – inheritance, undeserved, grace, thanksgiving, renewal