The Favor of God
We long for significance. Meaning. Purpose. We pray that in some way our life will matter, that what we do will actually make a difference, have some meaningful impact on the world. We pray that with strength, and ultimately success, we can be a blessing to our time and place in history.
Whether we know it or not, in order to do this we seek the very favor of God.
Having the favor of God changes everything. It is clarity. Power. Vision. Authority. Wisdom. It is not clairvoyance or omniscience. It is faith, in the invisible. It is belief. It is the will to keep going, to keep trying in a sustained direction without proof that it is “working.”
Favor is not the absence of fear. It is the presence of courage - the power to act defiantly in the face of fear. To keep pushing, even as the fear increases. There are always doubts. Always second-guesses. There is always the lingering concern that we have stepped off the path.
These pokings and proddings of the conscience can make us weary, leaving us to wonder if we can have the favor of God.
But the favor of God is not a product of this world. It does not come with human credentials. It can not be given through a program or institution. It comes only from without, but is received within, at least that is the portal - the channel of arrival. It is not by our merit, but from the external will of God.
The favor of God is endorsed by our deepest longings. We know there is something outside and above us that we need to create something that lasts. That goes on. That is truly significant. That makes room for itself in history and is remembered, not quickly forgotten.
As creatives, we get to experience this great joy of co-parenting, co-authoring; though we are mere portals, conduits. We endure incredible birth pains for a child that is not ours. Not entirely. And its brith is not by our own authority, but by the One with the credentials to do such things.
It is He who says: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
You CAN do it. You have the favor of God.
