It was on his t-shirt: JESUS LOVES YOU………..but I’m his favorite. I couldn’t resist. I walked up to him and said, “I really like your shirt. I’m gonna need to find one of those”. He said, “It’s always a conversation starter”.
While the shirt may get a chuckle out of most people, I honestly had deep thoughts about it all day. The morning had started with one text message from a friend asking desperately for prayers to get through the day. Then a second text, mostly asking for the same thing. By the time I got to work, I had three texts. And let’s just say it didn’t stop there. It had been a heavy start to the morning.
Are you struggling in your marriage? Is the enemy trying to convince you that you aren’t capable at work? Are you simply wondering when life will give you a break? I certainly don’t make light of these things, and I definitely don’t want to compare lists. But what if we actually believed what the shirt says?
You might not realize it, but the Bible confirms this. Over and over, scripture reminds us that we’re God’s favorite: chosen, set apart, valued, loved, protected, secured, and bought with a price. But the Bible also tells story after story of people who didn’t act as if they believed it. Why is it so difficult?
You know who I think DID believe it? John! Some have joked that John was arrogant about it. He actually calls himself “the disciple Jesus loved”. Pretty bold. But I think it’s because he had at least a tiny glimpse of what it really means to be loved by Jesus. He was just confident. Nothing wrong with that.
If I believe that I’m chosen, valued, loved, and protected. If I trust that God has set me apart and bought me with a price, why in the world would I worry about what the enemy is doing? I know I need to be aware. But God always wins. Literally every time.
So, let’s go buy the shirt. Pick your favorite color. Big BOLD letters. And maybe we find ourselves with an opportunity to boast about Jesus. Because, after all, I AM his favorite.
Exodus 19:5 ~ Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession……….