Delightful Favour

[Part 7, Chapter 43] 

Jesus’ whole mission on earth was to proclaim his Father’s favour. We, too, are set apart for sharing his delight with others. And it’s far simpler than we make it.

Mary was given favour by Father God, she received the favour, she pondered favour when it perplexed her, she lived in the favour and then, when she went and visited Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth jumped for joy!

Mary didn’t do a word study on favour, go to bible college, take a class on witnessing, pick up some pamphlets, run a course, or enrol in a program. She didn’t even read a blog or buy a book on favour!

All Mary did was receive favour, live in it, and go visit someone else.

Here’s where it gets amazing.

Elizabeth is overwhelmed, in the best way possible.

What if missional living was us receiving and celebrating the favour that is gifted to us.

And here’s the whole purpose of these daily ‘Favoured’ sketches: we can only share what we have.

A lot of Christians have difficulty accepting themselves. In turn, they then struggle to accept others. A lady said to me recently, “I can see Jesus in him, and I can see Jesus in her, but when I look in the mirror, I have trouble seeing Jesus in me; not because he isn’t there, but because of my perception.”

One way I personally seek to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour is by delighting myself in the Lord. I could focus on my sin, but that isn’t going to change anything. I could notice that the world is going downhill quickly, but that won’t bring or release favour. So, putting off what is behind, I let the Holy Spirit focus me on whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, the things that are of excellence, and anything worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

I take up Paul’s injunction to think about these things (v 9). Then, instead of focusing on the negativity I am often bombarded by in our society, I find myself being the recipient of delight and joy.

I delight in my adoption, that is, my true identity as a son. I even delight in the midst of my circumstances because Father God is my delight.

I then discover that—a surprise to me—people find me delightful to be around.

Why? Because I’m filled with delight since Abba is now my delight.

This is missional living.

It is deep, it is simple, it is intentional, it is relational, it is transformational.

What if we believed this?

What if you believe it?

Just imagine if the two billion Christians in the world stopped focussing on meetings, programs, events, methods, systems, and structures, and just released favour.

The world would be a different place!

Too simple? Dumbing down?

It’s what Jesus did. It’s how Mary responded.

Jesus came to release the year of the Lord’s favour. This is Jesus in action. This is delightful favour.

In him, you too, are a delight.