God's Favor

"People like you."

My love said this to me as I got on the motorbike after we stopped for a brief rest from the journey. 

"What do you mean?" was my response. 

He explained that he had observed on multiple occasions that people were drawn to talk to me and be my friend.

He didn't know if it was the way I looked or my personality, but he noticed that people were definitely drawn. 

I realized that I had seen the same reality about my love. People are drawn to him. They notice his calm demeanor and his natural leadership. He stands out in a crowd. No one can really tell you why but there's "just something about him" that people are attracted too. 

I later learned about God's favor. It comes from a Hebrew word "khen" which describes two different types of grace 

1) When something is objectively beautiful. 

2) When someone is given favor when they don't possess it (think -- a robber getting an inheritance) Grace - Character of God Word Study

When I considered the idea of "khen," I realized that in different ways, the Lord has given us both "khen." There is some sort of "khen" that people are drawn to in us. 

Esther, in the Bible, also demonstrates "khen" when she is given favor and literally anything she wants even though she deserves death (Esther 4:11, 5:2, 6). She uses her favor to save her people. 

In the same way, Jesus demonstrates this idea to the nth degree when he uses his ultimate favor to redeem a broken people who all deserve death. Us. (Romans 6:23). 

So this raises a question in me "How do we use this "khen" for the glory of God?" 

That is our quest now. Figuring out how to complement our hearts for the gospel with the favor that God has given us. 

As we explore the beautiful reality of grace (getting something we don't deserve, namely life), we want to use the gifts and talents as well as the undeniably gracious gift of salvation to lift His name high. 

8 more days until we enter into a covenant to explore and share the reality of this grace every day!