I’m tired of favor-based theology.
Jen Hatmaker reminds us of this in her book, For The Love:
If it’s true for the single, Christian mom in Haiti, then it’s true.
We often make broad statements that tie up our faith in a nice neat bow. We tell the world that God is good because we got a “brand new car!” or that amazing parking place right in front of the store.
Yet that Christian mom in Haiti didn’t get a brand new car. There is no store. She struggles to find clean water. Yet God loves her just as much as He loves us.
God is good because God is good.
He’s good in the midst of suffering, for He understands suffering and is present with us.
He’s good when the bills are stacked high and when they are paid, because He cares about our most basic needs.
Jesus called ordinary people to help him reach the world. From the beginning he told them it wasn’t a position of favor, but of servanthood.
We are called to be world changers, and that comes as servants.
Certainly we are loved by Him — what favor!
Certainly the cross set us free — what favor!
Jesus showed us, by His example, a powerful truth: the greatest treasures are multiplied as we give them away.
[bctt tweet=”One day we’ll look back and see that the greatest treasures we accumulated are the ones we gave away. #livingfreetogether #ComeWithMe ” username=”suzanneeller”]
Let’s ask God together to peel away our desire for favor, and thank Him for the immense gift He’s already given us.
Suzie
Today’s assignment
Are you ready for today’s study assignment? Let’s do this together!
- Read Chapter Three of Come With Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Jesus
- Watch the video below
- Go deeper with the questions at the end of Chapter Three
- Don’t forget to pray about and journal about the discussion prompt at the end of the video.
Beautifully said. Thank you.
My assignment with Jesus is to share my family meals with a mother of three who has been recently separated from her husband, going through emotional instability.
I am humbled that God brought us to her even as we are looking up to Jesus for restoration. Assuredly, we are loved by God!
My assignment right now is to try to help love and guide some local neighborhood kids, (4th through 6th grade) who suddenly started showing up at our church on Wednesday night. They have parents who do not attend church, and “less than desirable” home lives. When we began with these kids they were rude, disrespectful, angry, and some of them are bullies. Some of them are starting to come around, starting to ask questions about Jesus, offering to pray during prayer/praise time and some of them are still acting out. We have had to send a couple of them home, but the great thing is, they keep coming back! Our goal is to show them love, give them a sense of security, and guide them to Jesus! We know we can’t reach them all, but it will be amazing to watch the ones we do grow a beautiful relationship with Him!
My assignment is to help the single woman. Whether divorced, empty-nester, or never married. My goal is to show them they are loved and accepted just as He has loved and accepted me.
YES, YES, YES, YES, YES. Exactly this. Powerful, beautiful TRUTH. Thank you, Suzie.
My assignment is to simple love others, love the unlovable. Give of myself. Give my time and give when I see a need. I never know when this will happen as I let God guide me to that time to share or give. I don’t have a lot of money since we are semi-retired (work the summer months) with no pensions other than social security, but He always provides my needs. He makes sure I have just enough.
I bought 2 pair of shorts at Goodwill last week, both in excellent condition, they were too large for me. I have no idea why I would buy that size as I know I don’t wear a large. I thought I put them in a drawer to give away but when I went to the laundromat to do my laundry…there they were in the basket. The lady that works there always looks sad, almost like life has defeated her. She was a perfect size to wear those shorts, so I ask her if she thought they might fit and she said they would. So I gave them to her….I know that is not a huge gift, but I think it was a gift that God wanted for me to give her. Why? I have no idea but the main thing is….God knows and I don’t have to understand.
Charlotte, sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest impact. I love your story!
Good stuff, Suzie!
This is my heart, Julie. There are too many people who long to know that God sees them. I pray that we, as women of faith, will band together and tangibly love them in His name.
I am grateful for your words today. I don’t know where I am being lead. What I thought doesn’t seem to be where things are heading. But, that is okay. It is all good. I will wait.
my assignment has been to rest in Him, I don’t know when the next assignment will come. I am just trying to love on Him.
My assignment is to ‘trust God’. As we were traveling home this spring, I was asking God what he wanted me to do. He said, ‘Trust Me’. That’s what I’m doing now. I studying Him more and reading his word. I just got results back from some blood work done. There’s an area of concern, so I am going to ‘trust Him’ to have the drs. know what to do and for me to follow the directions of everyone.
Suzie- My assignment right now is to be a mother to 5 kids and a wife to a man running 3 businesses. When I have time left, I like to write about hope for women feeling burdened by the hard of life.
Trying to do my best in all these assignments. I’m glad I have a God who infuses me daily with His strength!
Julie
Not sure where God is leading me…right now I am feeling I should be patient and just let him lead the way. So that is what I am doing!
i so agree with you and beleive i am in the same place as you. many times we are in a hurry to want to see the things we want materialise and forget to take time and ask what is it that God wants for us. we then move to make decisions that have dais consequences.
i pray too that i may learn to develop patience and not just develop it but practice it.