I got to eat at the Cracker Barrel in Santa Maria, twice! My husband can’t understand why it’s such a favorite of mine, but he’s a good enough guy to indulge me. It made me think of what makes things “favorite.” Of course, this restaurant reminds me of my southern roots—deep-fried okra, collards, cornbread, and pinto beans—does it get any better? (Bruce’s favorite places always seem to include decadent desserts!
When I tell folks I am going to eat at the Cracker Barrel, they turn their noses up, but the place is always full so there are plenty of people eating there just like me.
Stop for a minute and think about what constitutes your favorite restaurant or coffee bar? Is it the nostalgia? The service? The unique cuisine? The ambiance? Or maybe, like Bruce the decadent dessert?
Ephesians tells us that we are God’s favorite. That blows my mind because I have nothing unique and special to offer Him. Still, that doesn’t stop His undeniable love. Ephesians 1:7-9, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.” The Lord thinks about you and me, and He smiles.
Before He began creating the cosmos, we were on His mind. Psalm 139. Before we could do anything, achieve any honor, or accomplish any feat, He loved us—just because!
This favor is “the mystery of his will.” God wanted us! It’s hard to wrap my head around love like that. But what my head can’t take in, I will let my heart take up. And I will rest in the fact that I am loved warts and all. And so are you. Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
When we could care less about Jesus, He cared enough to die on the cross for your sins and mine.
Now that’s love, and I guess that makes us both favorite! Wouldn’t you say?