Favor

"Think of the most beautiful sunset you've ever seen: The God of the universe wouldn't create a sunset like that if He didn't want someone He loved to enjoy it."

I crave favor. I want people to like me. I want to be the best at my job. I want fun experiences. I want to win the lottery. I want to get on the Price is Right. I want the extra rice on the Hibachi grill. Don't sit there and tell me you don't want any of these things: You want favor, too.

There's a stark difference between seeking favor and being plain ole greedy. I think the desire for favor is innately human - a gift from God himself to make life a little more fun. Greed, on the other hand, is when that desire gets out of control. God warns against greed pretty early in human history.

Finding favor is not a bad thing - nor is experiencing it. God showed favor to His people from the very second of creation, placing Adam and Eve in the most abundant, beautiful garden man will ever know. Favor is one of the many ways God exhibits His love to humanity. Think of the most beautiful sunset you've ever seen: The God of the universe wouldn't create a sunset like that if He didn't want someone He loved to enjoy it.

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Back in December, I visited my favorite place on Earth: Charleston. I don't love it for the reasons you think; It's architecture, history, and incredible cuisine are all notable, don't get me wrong, but Charleston holds a special place in my heart because when I walk through its streets, I remember God's favor.

My late grandpa (I call him pappy) (yes, I'm really that country) experienced a major financial breakthrough. I'm not going to expose too much of my pappy's fiances here, but let's just say he was ready to celebrate BIG. So, he loaded up me, my momma, and my nanny (in hillbilly, "nanny" means "grandma") and took us somewhere special - and that somewhere special was Charleston.

My 12-year-old, tech savvy self found a killer deal on our desktop computer for a stay at the infamous Francis Marion Hotel, pictured above. It was the nicest hotel I had every stayed at and was located right on King Street. We were living large.

But the nice hotel, delicious food, and cool experiences are not what I remember most clearly from this trip: It was the giggles. And the smiles. And the relief on my pappy's face when he pulled out his wallet to pay the restaurant checks. It was the awe-struck feeling I felt looking at the Spanish moss; the feeling of the waves hitting my toes for the very first time. It was the happiness. It was the favor God showed my family.

I've visited Charleston a million times since, and every time I walk down King Street, I feel God's favor.

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Back in December, I tacked on a day to a work trip and visited my favorite city and saw a very dear friend who lives there. I decided to go to the farmer's market that is held across the street from the Francis Marion Hotel. At one point, I was standing on the street corner, looking up at the hotel just... crying. In front of God and everyone - crying like a baby. I remembered all the good God has done for me, how far He has brought me, and how stinking cool it was that God used that first-time experience in Charleston to mold my personality, goals and ambition.

At my church, Pastor Zack calls places like Charleston "monuments of faith" - the places, people, and things that remind you of how God has worked in your life. Have one of those? I'd be willing to bet you do. These monuments can be feelings, too: like the feeling of the sun on your skin, how you feel in your favorite outfit, a firm congratulatory handshake, hearing the sound of crashing waves, the peace of a clean house... These are all signals of God's favor.

I'm convinced that God wants us to be happy and has no return policy. And I'm convinced that God shows us favor for the sake of joy. The best way to pay Him back? Bask in it. Thank Him for it. Pass it along. That's it.

It's Good Friday, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention just how desperately God wants to show favor toward each and every one of us. When you consider Jesus' sacrifice, I hope you consider the love God has for humanity. And by the way, knowing God and calling Jesus my friend is better than any trip to Charleston.