The Favor of God
By Samantha Keller |
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Posted 1:40 pm on March 04, 2011
I hear a lot about God’s favor these days in the church. Some people have it and others less fortunate get overlooked. The favored few rise to the top and those that lack favor end up floundering in the land of mediocre. And though some might argue that the floundering builds character, sometimes it also builds bitterness.
I get the impression from current theological minds, praying for favor is a cop out. It’s the Prayer of Jabez-y (to use my friend Deanna’s term) prosperity touting gospel. It’s the name it and claim it kind of Christianity which seeks personal happiness instead of Kingdom suffering.
But what if the favor we desire is simply to be used by God? No one faults David for wanting to be the guy to build the temple. Even though God said no, his sincere longing for favor was legitimate. What happens when we ask like Isaiah, “Here I am God, use me,” and all we hear is crickets?
Disillusionment with God’s Timing
Some stories I encounter have me scratching my head in bewilderment. What about my friend Jonah, a missionary who felt God’s call to attend Bible College and enter pastoral ministry. But due to unexpected circumstances, he ran out money for tuition. When he repeatedly interviewed at church after church for a pastoral job, he was told to finish seminary and then reapply. So, he headed back into the workforce disillusioned. Years later, he is tentatively opening his heart again to be used by God. In all reality, he was a pastor doing Kingdom work as a missionary, but no one in the church was willing to take a risk on field experience vs. academic accreditation. Or did he merely lack favor?
Radical Obedience
I’m watching the Catalyst West updates on Twitter as I write this. Ironically, Andy Stanley is speaking on radical obedience being a pivotal component to Kingdom sized dreams. Is God’s favor somehow mysteriously intertwined with obedience?
Stanley suggests, “Often, a single act of courage is the tipping point for something extraordinary." He also mentioned the church would have kicked Peter out of leadership, but Jesus, on the other hand, put him in charge.
The State of the Heart
Hmmmm? I guess that brings me back to favor. If the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16 WBT), then the condition of our heart influences the outcome of our prayers. If we pray for God’s favor regarding doors opening and opportunities to glorify Him, then our will cannot be out alignment, but the means to achieve this glory may be.
Courage then, in light of favor, can befound in the relinquishment of personal agenda. It is letting go of expectations and embracing the circumstances of God’s timing.
And favor, therefore, is the exact moment when our innermost desires meet with God’s timing.
Call me Jabez-y, but I will keep praying for those days, not only for myself, but for all the Jonah’s out there that want to be used, like Peter, for the Kingdom. They aren’t looking for a comfortable G6 ride instead of a bumpy broken jalopy; they just want an opportunity to travel down the Kingdom road of favor.
Tags: disappointment, faith, favor, heart
Mother of 3 munchkins, church-planter, pastor's wife, marketing director at a tech company, women's ministry leader at Mariners Mission Viejo Church. Lover of Jesus, books, coffee and long walks. Generally exhausted yet deeply fufilled from the chaos of church, sports and finding time to blog. I am peacemaker, a thinker and generally "chillaxed" as my son likes to say. I believe God has given me a unique gift in the ability to recognize and tell His stories.
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