One Monday recently, Elton drove me to a car dealership to pick up a new-to-me car. Other than it being an ordinary Monday, this might have been one of the best days of my life (Proving once again, that God works on Mondays).
I wasn’t raised to love cars. A car gets you places. Hopefully. And that is all. So, it makes little sense that the Lord would chose a car to teach me about Himself and His love. But He did.
The first half of my life, my dream car was a Volkswagen Bug. For obvious reasons. High on the cute scale.
I was dying to have one until (numerous, meddling) mechanics felt obligated to tell me that they wouldn’t be in business without the frequent VW Bug repairs that made up the bread-and-butter of their garages.
I didn’t really care that it would eventually “need work”. I enjoy the challenge of fixing. I find self-worth in making-do. I feel secretly deserving of things when I have made them myself. Is this a pride that keeps me in poverty? Who knows.
Somewhere in all this, my obsession with Jaguars began.
I can’t remember the first time I noticed one, where I was, what I was doing or that sort of thing. It just appeared, and it was so beautiful. So refined. So elegant. I especially loved the front grill of the S-type…so I made it my screen saver. Yah. I just decided my Father wanted me to have one. That was 10 years ago.
Then, you know how it is, I was seeing them everywhere. When I did, I would remind myself that God wanted good things for me. Not mediocre, not “in need of repair” or “sold as-is” things…but beautiful, excellent things. It became a God-kiss. A sign of favor. Instead of being lost in the crowd, maybe I was special. Even a favorite.
In case you don’t know the secret, it’s ok to call yourself His favorite. Because you are.
Once I went to a celebration service, honoring the life of an amazing woman of God named Ernestine Broadous. She was a gem, but what stood out to me that day was her family. Her “favorite nephew” prayed. Her “favorite daughter” sang. And when they lined up to pay tribute, her “favorite niece” rang a bell to make sure no one person took more time than they were allotted. When she handed the microphone to the first relative, he was her “favorite somebody or other”. Turns out, everyone there was favorite.
Everyone was favorite because Miss Ernestine said they were. No one ever doubted it. Miss Ernestine and God are a lot alike. God has the capacity to choose me to be His favorite, and then choose you in the same breath.
It’s almost like we please Him just by being. Like we cannot disappoint Him no matter how hard we try. We disappoint ourselves and I assume He has a heart like ours.
But it isn’t. His is bigger.
God doesn’t just show love; the Bible says He IS love.
Love is patient; therefore, God is patient. Love is kind; therefore, God is kind.
God is never jealous or envious. He is never boastful, proud, or haughty. (No matter what people persist in thinking about Him) God is never selfish or rude, and God does not demand His own way. He is not irritable or touchy. He does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do Him wrong. He is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. When He loves someone, He is loyal to him no matter what the cost. He always believes in him, always expects the best of him, and always stands His ground in defending him. (adapted from 1 Corinthians 13)
I know this about God, so how would I have any trouble believing that He gives good gifts to His children, way beyond their needs, way beyond their wildest dreams?
Simply ask, and wait (and wait), and receive.
I think we could go to the moon on a rocket ship if we wanted to. I think I shall ask.
The only reason we don’t have more of such extravagant things is that they are against our stingy religious mindsets. So sad. We leave amazing blessings on the table…and when others receive them, we struggle not to be jealous. None of us need be. There is enough for all His favorites. In His eyes, we are beautiful and perfectly refined.
According to what He said when He made us, we are the Artist’s rendering of Himself. Worthy because He made us so.
And so, that very special Monday night after work we went to the dealership to pick up my car. Not the Bug, but the 2006 S-type Jaguar. The mechanic gave it the once-over, kicked the tires and and checked all the boxes. Low miles, a sunroof and beautiful leather and wood interior. The color is called “radiance”. Crimson red. It is paid in full.
More than a car, it is a status symbol. The status of favorite in Father’s eyes.
Just like you.