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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Favoritism (02/28/05)
Mom, who is your favorite—me or him?

I sometimes get this question from one of my sons. The “or him” is always spoken with a finger pointed at the brother in question.

My oldest son is biological and my youngest son is adopted. This adds a different dynamic to the age-old, sibling rivalry to be mom’s favorite child.

“I’m your flesh and blood,” my oldest son says. “Doesn’t that make me your favorite, just a little bit?”

“But I’m special because you chose me,” says my youngest. “So that makes me your favorite, right?”

Favoritism—what a sensitive subject! It’s why the teacher’s pet gets slammed with spit balls and the coach’s kid is scrutinized for special treatment. It’s why the boss’ prized employee is the victim of gossip, and why people grumble that celebrities and athletes get away with things that we average folks can’t.

Well…does God play favorites? Sometimes it seems like He does!

Don’t we all know someone who is always in the right place at the right time, seeming to never face the frustrations of a closed door or a shattered dream? Getting what they want when they want it? Everything always working out just the way they hoped and prayed it would?

And don’t we all know someone who can’t seem to win for losing? Coming in second, on empty or up short, no matter how hard they try?

Some lives seemed charmed and others seem cursed.

I imagine there are many reasons why this seems so, but it’s NOT because God is smiling upon a fair-haired golden child and scowling upon a red-headed stepchild!

Life lots and experiences are as different as the fish in the sea, but God’s love is not.
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.” (Acts 10:34-35, NIV)

This is just one of many scriptures of assurance: God sent Jesus to die for us ALL, not just a few He has a special fondness for!

Webster’s defines “favorite” as one unusually loved, trusted or provided with favors by a person of high rank or authority. “Favoritism” is described as the state or act of being a favorite.

When my boys vie for the title of “Favorite Son”, what they’re really asking is, “Who do you LOVE the most?”

I draw them a picture of my heart. “Here is where my love lives.”

My sons think they’ve got it figured out. “We each get half of your heart, right?”

Wrong. Hearts aren’t made to be split. Hearts are made to get bigger…and bigger and bigger. Every time a new child is added to the family (no matter how God chooses to send them), the hearts of mom and dad expand, not divide into another portion. Love is not shared; love is whole.

So it is with the love of our Heavenly Father, He who created each and every one of us. His love is big enough to hold us all—equally. How do we know? Because Jesus promised, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)

The words “world” and “whoever” are all-inclusive!

If we accept Webster’s definition of favorite, then it’s safe to say that God favors us all.

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17. NIV)

To me, that sounds like being unusually loved…by someone of high rank and authority!
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 1913 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Dave Wagner
03/07/05
Seems to me that there's a difference between saying "God doesn't show favoritism" and "We're all God's favorites"...I don't think they're saying the same thing. I'm gonna have to chew on this some more, since it seems a common theme in several submission in this category.

As far as this piece, it's a smooth read. It hooks well in the beginning. And I enjoyed the insight in regards to the heart.

Thanks for posting.
Lisa Beaman
03/07/05
I also like the insite with the heart. I would have been fine with the splitting it evenly in half, but was thrilled the idea it expanding. A much better analogy. You did a great job with this!
Michael Wilmot 
03/09/05
The flow of this piece was steady and smooth. The word pictures were very well choosen and the scripture dead on. Well done.
Sally Hanan
03/10/05
Yes, you gave us a lot of different pictures of what you were explaining, very helpful for the ADHD reader :)
donna robinson
03/11/05
I too enjoyed the heart growing bigger!
Kathy Cartee
03/11/05
I love the part about the heart growing bigger.
Wonderful insight from God.
This is a statement I will remember and use myself to teach others.

Kathy