Many of us are familiar with motivational speakers and coaches. Many of us ourselves may post motivational quotes or positive affirmations on social media. Or we may have people we desire to be like or have mentors who help us to realize that we can achieve our goals. But have you stopped to consider and reflect on if you want favor without working for it?
You see, favor is something that many of us know we don’t deserve, yet God allows it to be so in our lives. And some folks truly don’t believe in God or anything higher than themselves, yet they are constantly seeking favor for their life without realizing that favor comes from the Lord. So, the fact is that in our society working towards our goals is something that some of us desire to do on our own terms.
And therein lies one of the problems. As a believer I know that God has plans for me to prosper (Jer. 29:11) and at the same time I must be open to hearing what it is I need to do (Matt. 11:15) so I can go in the direction that I need to go. And if you are a believer of the Christian faith, you too, know that God said he would be with you in valley (Psalm 23:4) and He instructed you to keep His commandments (John 14:15). So, the question is if we know better, do we do better?
Because it’s one thing to feel entitled to have better, but if we’re not putting in the work, then our expectations are unrealistic. Just think about a newborn. As a newborn, no infant can take care of itself, nor do we expect it too. That’s why there’s so many books on parenting and what to expect as you become a parent or what to do when your child is sick. And the same standard and level of care and consideration needs to apply to our lives and the way our lifestyle reflects our work ethic.
After all, when we think of the best or greatest athletes or even entertainers, we know one thing they have is work ethic. We don’t even need to see it, but we can identify with common sense there’s no way they would be a phenomenal athlete or entertainer if they didn’t put in work. I mean Michael Jordan doesn’t even play basketball anymore, yet people in all levels of society still talk about his legacy of greatness to the game of basketball today and his shoe line sells with little to no advertising.
So, like him or not, like basketball or not, it’s a fact he left his name on the game and in the sport. You see we often hear faith without works is dead (James 2:17). And some of us may say we know that and we’re tired of hearing it. Yet, the issue is not whether we know it, but whether we live it and whether our life reflects our beliefs. There’s no one who can say that they know MJ or even some of his story and say he didn’t strive to be the best basketball player.
Likewise, if you’re familiar with ET, short for Eric Thomas, you can’t then turn around and say he’s not serious or committed to being the number one motivational speaker in the world. Therefore, the key is to know that we cannot ask for God to work on our behalf like genie to give us this and that because we want it, but then fail or refuse to do what is necessary to have what we asked for. What does your work ethic say? And what does your work ethic say about what you say you want?
Because God is orderly (1 Cor. 14:40) and He keeps His word. And truly He has already done more than enough for us and on our behalf (John 3:16). As you think about your life, do you live in a way that pleases or displeases God? Do you consult Him on the decisions that you make? Do you pursue His will for your life? If not, why? And if you say God doesn’t speak to you, why do you think that is?
Because again I’m here to tell you that living life as you please, but then expecting abundant favor and blessings beyond measure is not how God works. (Matt. 6:33) In fact, God called for His children to be set apart (Matt 5:16) and you can’t be set apart living life as you please and without valuing and respectfully putting God first.
Secondly, while prayer does change things. You must be willing to do more than pray and know that worrying about having favor and the requests of your heart is not helpful. Remember, the Lord already knows our thoughts afar off. And the word declares that He provides for the sparrows in the air who neither sow or reap, and our value is greater than theirs (Matt 6:26); so, yes pray, but don’t worry.
And still after you pray remember that prayer alone is not enough. I know we sometimes feel like our work is in vain, but do know if it’s for you, then it’s for you. Whatever it is, no matter how long it takes, what God has for you is yours. Yes, you may not get it when you want it, but God’s will is not supposed to conform to yours, your ways and lifestyle is supposed to be transformed by His will (Rom 12:2).
And let me tell you, sometimes we think God needs to hurry up and come through to make our dreams and pursuits a reality, but God knows if He did so in all situations it would not be good for us. In fact, if He did so, there would be sometimes that we wouldn’t truly value the favor and would waste the blessing much like the prodigal’s son (Luke 15: 13-14).
So, while we may not always realize it, it’s not the Lord taking too long, it’s often us not be willing to do what is necessary and it’s often us not realizing that we are not ready to handle the favor and blessing on our life that we say we want. Lastly, if you say well, I am ready and I have prayed, but nothing has happened as I’ve worked, I encourage you to keep working then. Because just because you’ve started working doesn’t mean that whatever you desire is going to happen right away. My favorite scripture Hab. 2:2-3 says
“2And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
Translation – know that you know the things you desire, so that you can breakdown them down into a plan of action to focus on and no matter what commit to working on them and towards them because there’s a process that comes with accomplishing anything. Yet, if you remain consistently persistent and commit to your time to work and trust the process, what you’re working towards WILL come to be when it is the appropriate time.
So, as I close, just know to receive God’s best and live abundantly blessed, you must first be committed to living life the King’s way and secondly you must have the faith to commit to work the process and have faith that the Lord is indeed a man of His word. Therefore, I challenge you to ask yourself do you want God’s favor without obeying God’s word? And if so, evaluate how that mindset is working for you. Because, the only person that has the authority to change your life is you.
~The expectation of God’s favor in your life, with the mindset of I don’t have to do anything and if I do decide to do anything I’ll do it the way I choose is to refuse to understand that obtaining better and greater things requires your commitment to consistent effort and faithful submission. ~Coach Sam
~EXALTED ROYALTY~ A C. E. SAM COMPANY
