The Power of Choosing Your Favorite

The Power of Choosing Your Favorite

In a world filled with chaos, negativity, and despair, where can we find hope and peace? The answer lies in a simple yet profound concept: choosing our favorite.

Imagine standing in a barren field, surrounded by thorns and briars, where even the best of people seem corrupt and untrustworthy. This was the reality described by the prophet Micah thousands of years ago. He painted a bleak picture of a society where family members turned against each other, neighbors couldn't be trusted, and evil seemed to reign supreme.

Yet in the midst of this darkness, Micah made a powerful declaration: "But as for me, I will look to the Lord. I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me." (Micah 7:7)

This statement encapsulates the transformative power of choosing our favorite. When we decide to make God our ultimate focus, our north star, we gain the ability to rise above our circumstances and find hope in the darkest of times.

The concept of "favorite" is more than just a casual preference. It's a powerful force that shapes our perspective and actions. Think about your favorite color, food, or sports team. When you encounter these things, they cause you to pause, to take notice. They evoke emotions and memories. In essence, they hold a special place in your heart and mind.

Now, imagine applying this same level of favor and attention to God. What if we made Him our ultimate favorite, above all else in our lives?

Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, repeatedly used the word "blessed" to describe various difficult situations:

- "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
- "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
- "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

At first glance, these statements seem paradoxical. How can one be blessed in the midst of mourning, persecution, or spiritual poverty? The key lies in shifting our focus from our earthly circumstances to the eternal promises of God.

When we make God our favorite, we gain a new perspective. We begin to see beyond our current struggles and set our minds on things above. As the apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 3:2, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

This doesn't mean our problems magically disappear or that we won't face difficulties. Rather, it means we have an anchor for our souls, a source of comfort and strength that transcends our earthly experiences.

Consider the words of Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." This beloved psalm paints a picture of peace and contentment, not because life is perfect, but because the Lord is our shepherd.

Making God our favorite requires a deliberate choice. It means turning away from the negative influences around us and fixing our gaze on Him. It means waiting on His timing, even when answers don't come as quickly as we'd like. It means trusting in His character and promises, even when our feelings tell us otherwise.

This choice has profound implications for our daily lives:

1. It gives us resilience in the face of adversity. Like Micah, we can stand firm in our faith even when the world around us seems to be falling apart.

2. It provides comfort in times of mourning. When we lose something or someone precious to us, we have the assurance that God will comfort us and that our story doesn't end with loss.

3. It offers a new identity. Instead of being defined by our circumstances or past experiences, we find our true identity as children of God.

4. It gives us confidence in prayer. We can approach God knowing that He hears us and cares for us deeply.

5. It shapes our priorities. When God is our favorite, we naturally want to align our lives with His will and purposes.

Making this choice isn't always easy. Our human nature often gravitates towards immediate gratification or visible solutions. We might be tempted to make our favorite our past experiences, our anxieties about the future, or even the very things that harm us. But these false favorites will always leave us wanting.

The challenge, then, is to continually turn our hearts and minds towards God. This involves regular time in His Word, cultivating a life of prayer, and surrounding ourselves with a community of believers who can encourage us in our faith.

For those with children or grandchildren, there's an added responsibility. We must model what it looks like to make God our favorite. Our actions and priorities speak louder than our words. By consistently demonstrating the centrality of God in our lives, we give the next generation the opportunity to develop their own vibrant relationship with Him.

In conclusion, the power of choosing our favorite cannot be overstated. When we make God our ultimate focus, we gain a new perspective on life's challenges. We find hope in the midst of despair, peace in the midst of chaos, and purpose in the midst of confusion.

So today, let's echo Micah's declaration: "But as for me, I will look to the Lord. I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me." Let's choose to make God our favorite, trusting that He is working all things together for our good and His glory.

In a world that often feels like a barren field, may we be like trees planted by streams of water, drawing our strength and nourishment from the unending love of our favorite – our God.