Thought for Today
Genesis 6:8 But Noah found favor in the sight of the LORD.
2 Samuel 23:1 Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, son of Jesse, the oracle of the man whom God exalted, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the favorite of the Strong One of Israel:
Luke 1:30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
In English, to ‘play favorites’ carries negative connotations. To accuse someone of playing favorites is not a compliment. Rather, it implies discrimination, preferential treatment, basic unfairness. Most parents work diligently to avoid playing favorites or even having a favorite among their children. But, do you ever find yourself playing favorites? Having favorites among ‘things?’
I plead guilty to playing favorites among the days of the week. To not like Mondays is almost ubiquitous in our culture. Almost everyone is familiar with TGIF, Thank Goodness It’s Friday. Friday is not my favorite day of the week. Generally, Tuesdays and Thursdays are pretty much ignored, lost in the background noise of the week’s issues and concerns. Some do favor Wednesdays as ‘hump days.’ The halfway marker of the week’s progress. And that leaves Saturdays and Sundays.
Long before I heeded God’s call to ministry, even in my youth, Sunday was my favorite day of the week. I like all of the other days, but Sunday was and still remains my favorite. During my first career, Monday through Friday were workdays. I enjoyed my profession, but there is a reason they call it ‘work.’ Saturdays were busy days, full of yard work, repair chores, youth sports and a plethora of other ‘stuff.’ Admittedly, when our children were young, Sunday mornings could be a tad hectic. But, then and now, Sunday has always been the Lord’s Day. There was never any question for me, Sunday was the day I went to church, the day dedicated to “Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.”
I have always found the sanctuary of whatever church I attended a place of special serenity and peace. Even when I had occasion to be in a sanctuary on days other than Sunday, I found that serenity and peace. On Sundays, church and worship have always been my ‘safe place,’ my refuge from the chaotic, hectic world around me.
So, Sunday is my favorite. I have other favorites, favorite colors, favorite foods, favorite authors. As I think about it this morning, I do play favorites. I am currently reading through a rotation of books by my favorite authors. The menu Greta and I have planned for this week is a rotation of some of our favorite dishes. My closet is full of clothes of my favorite colors . . . neatly organized by color, after all, I was originally trained as an engineer.
As we raised our children, we did not have to try very hard to avoid having a favorite. We both can honestly say that each of our children is our favorite. Yes, I believe it possible to have multiple favorites. I can even say the same about our grandchildren. Our grandson is our favorite grandson. Our eldest granddaughter is our favorite eldest granddaughter, and her sister our favorite youngest granddaughter.
Does God play favorites? Noah and his family were the ones God chose to save from the flood. David was “the favorite of the Strong One of Israel.” Many of us remember Luke’s words that “Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.” Noah, David and Jesus all were obedient to the will of God. I do believe God favors all of God’s children. We are each equally God’s favorite. But, we cannot be in full relationship with God unless we are obedient to the will of God, even when that takes us where we may not want or expect to go. Paul was correct, “Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—”
We are all called to obey God. We are all loved by God. We must all listen for God’s call. As we answer God’s call, we can all rest assured that each of us is God’s favorite and that we are loved and strengthened by God.
Stay safe, listen for God’s call and know that you are loved, trust God,
Pastor Ray