FAVORITE CHILD (Isaiah 43)

I paid a huge price for you. . .That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. (Isaiah 43:3-4, MSG)

Children ask their parents, do you love me the most? The truth is, we might find one child more--enjoyable? Is that the word?--than another.

I think about that, sometimes, with my grandchildren. Grandchild number one, well, she was the first child and the first grandchild. She got plenty of attention. Grandchildren number three, my first biological grandchild, was the first child born of my son's marriage and came on the heels of my daughter's suicide. Grandchild #4 is the only son and grandson.

So although grandchild #2 is precious--I wonder if she ever feels overlooked?

Parents and grandparents struggle with loving our children equally. But God doesn't.

Isaiah 43 brags about God's love for His people. He paid a huge price for us. Isaiah talks about the nations God conquered for Israel's sake. Of course, in the church, we look at the ultimate price of God's love. He gave His only begotten, one-and-only Son, for me. For you.

When sin kidnaps us, God is willing to pay whatever ransom is demanded. He will give creation. He did give His Son. We don't have to worry that God won't come to the rescue.

But . . .if God loves His children equally. . .with everything He has and does. . .why does one person live in a mansion while another is homeless on the streets of Calcutta?

The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal. Equal before the law--but not equal in opportunity, financial status, intelligence, or athletic ability.

The same is true of God's love for His children.

He paid the same price for each one of us: the death of His Son.
He created each one of us in His image.
He gave every child one or more spiritual gifts.
His Spirit dwells in every child.
In God's economy, every gift is equally important.
God has the same ultimate goal for each of us: to be holy, to be conformed to the image of His Son.
Whatever each individual needs to reach that goal, God provides. No two are exactly alike.
He has prepared a home for each of us in heaven.

I'm sure I could list dozens more ways God treats us equally. . .

Do you ever wish that you were God's favorite? Think about all the things He has done for you that He doesn't give to those who reject Him.

LESSONS FROM THE ROACHH

"Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob?
Don't be afraid.
Feel like a fragile insect, Israel?
I'll help you.
You'll be confident and exuberant,
expansive in The Holy of Israel! (Isaiah 41:14-16)

Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I'm going to go eat worms. A sad child's rhyme. It's even worse when we feel like the worm.

Forget all about all the positive aspects of insects. Yes, God did create them as an important aspect of our ecosystem. But I prefer to squash them under my foot, if I don't shrink away in disgust first.
j
Sometimes I feel like others see me that way. I feel like I wear a neon sign that reads "victim," that invites other to take advantage of me. I squiggle like a worm when a visitor who cares, who wants to encourage me, can't find a conversational topic. (I decided that the next time, I'll ask them questions. It's my job to make them comfortable.)

But God never wants me to feel that way. Not fear, but faith--faith that even if I feel as unlikable as a worm, as fragile as an insect, God will help me. He'll not only help me, He'll make confident. Exuberant. Expansive.

Confident--without doubt, moving forward without questioning myself
Exuberant--boisterously happy. Unable to stay quiet about what God is doing.
Expansive--doing more than originally planned.

That's the way I want to live my life. When God's help--I will.