Such a Thing as “Crazy” Favor?
Welcome to Peniel CrossRoads, where we embrace Jesus’s heart and together live out the call to biblical unity!
I am discovering a cycle of victorious living found in the reception of lavish grace.
In the inner room of my heart, the deepest place where the Holy Spirit resides, Abba has been prompting me to ask for “crazy favor” and teaching me to expect it.
In these days of walking by faith and not by sight—we just returned from a glorious summer of ministry in Okinawa to a season of new beginnings—the trajectory of our decisions will be greatly affected by how much we expect God’s favor.
But how many of us regularly expect and receive our Father’s unexpected, unearned, “crazy” favor?
I, for one, am used to earning what I receive. I am not adept at receiving unexpected gifts graciously. Oh, I’m pretty good at saying a polite “thank you” and even remembering to acknowledge the divine Source of the gift. But I am only beginning to understand that our Father LOVES to lavish crazy favor on those who walk in His light and keep in step with the Holy Spirit.
Proper counseling technique reminds us that the worst thing we can do when someone is suffering is to try to fix his or her problem. We can help people walk through the process of learning to help themselves, but often what hurting people need most from those around them is simply to BE with them. Dealing with other people’s suffering (or walking through my own) by trying to “fix” a problem only makes me feel better. In the class I just attended, the professor asked the “fixers” in the room to raise their hands. Nearly half of the hands in the room went up, including my own. There was good reason for our needing to soak up wisdom from his counseling class!
Unfortunately, my analytical side wants to find the source of a problem and tweak it so it won’t influence anyone in a detrimental way. And this can be a helpful skill in certain situations. But if we go through life frequently manipulating variables for the greatest possible outcome, we will miss the opportunity to be present for the goodly Grace being poured out in the struggle. If I forget to open myself up to the lavish grace of a good Father, I can end up blaming myself or others for what simply doesn’t work due to the brokenness of this world.When I habitually seek to “fix” what’s broken, I might end up causing more hurt and even occasional conflict. “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:22-23
In contrast, when I position myself to receive the flow of God’s grace, reaffirming daily that I am the Lord’s Beloved and opening my heart to His favor in the cross of Christ, I can walk in the expectation of “crazy favor.” I can ask for what He wants to grant to the glory of God: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:7, 8) When I trust my Father’s heart, I am empowered to walk in the light of divine Love and holiness and can receive the gifts and miracles He wants to grant.
In this season of walking by faith and not by sight, of daily obedience to the guidance of the Spirit and walking in the anointing we have been given, we desire to see Abba reveal His unearned “crazy favor.”
Lord, grant us the grace to extend to ourselves and others the lavish favor that has already been given to believers in Christ Jesus! Teach us to expect your goodness as we stay close to You.