“But part of doing holy work includes doing it the way it was meant to be done: with every ounce of our beings as an act of worship. Holy ambition honors a holy God.”- Brian Jones
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”- Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
As Brian Jones continues Chapter 1 of Finding Favor, he notes Christians hungry for God to use them know one thing. Anything less than God-sized dreams for their lives falls short. Yet, Pastor Jones underscores, you don’t have to be a pastor, visionary, natural leader, great speaker, or graduate from a prestigious college. Rather, you need only one thing- the favor of the Lord.
Next, Brian defines God’s favor as his supernatural intervention to bring a blessing into your life. Most noteworthy, the author adds: “We’re all looking for ‘the thing’ that will help us become everything God created us to be in every area of our life. God’s favor is that thing.”
However, we must understand this in the context of Finding Favor’s subtitle. Pastor Jones’ subtitle emphatically reminds us that God’s richest blessings extend well beyond health, wealth, and happiness. But, Brian cautions, God’s favor won’t keep you from experiencing personal hardship. For example, consider the hardship faced by these biblical figures shown God’s favor:
- Daniel – spent the rest of his life exiled in Babylon
- Joseph – lived the majority of his adult life apart from his family
- Esther – almost lost her life fulfilling God’s calling on her life
Even though great men and women in the Bible sometimes endured difficult, journeys, they understood the following key concept. There’s nothing more important than seeking the Lord’s favor before you do anything. Therefore, when you seek the Lord’s favor, Pastor Jones stresses, victory’s assured. And without God’s favor, you’ve lost the battle before you even get started.
Today’s question: What holy ambition drives you to seek God’s favor? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Favor rarely gives us what we want”
