“Jesus Loves You, But I Am His Favorite”... Those are the words written on a shirt that I received as a gift several Christmases ago. The giver of the gift (my cousin Connie) said that she immediately thought of me when she saw it. At first, I didn't know if I should take that as a compliment or not. I questioned for a moment if she immediately thought of me because I give off a sense of "being better" or more “Christian” than others (which I pray that is not the case– and ask God to reveal that to me and forgive me if I do come off that way). After she assured me that this is NOT why she thought of me, I felt a little better and laughed along with everyone else about the message on the shirt. But after receiving that shirt and receiving numerous compliments and comments from people on the shirt when wearing it, I began to think about the shirt a little more and what lessons I could draw from it. Kind of silly right? A lesson from a shirt? Well, let’s take a look.

Think back when you were a student (for some of us that seems like FOREVER ago!). Were you ever the "teacher's pet"? I can definitely remember several classes where I could have been labeled the teacher's favorite. Remember how that felt? Remember the special privileges that you sometimes received because the teacher liked you so much. Remember how special you seemed, not only to the teacher, but to the other students (maybe they even disliked you because of it)? Or, maybe you weren't ever the favorite. Maybe you longed to be the teacher’s pet. Just once, you wanted to know what that felt like ~ to be the apple of the teacher’s eye.

Guess what my t-shirt has reminded me of? I/YOU don't need to wish or long to be Jesus’ favorite. I ALREADY AM! And so are YOU! We are validated, approved, and important to GOD. We don’t need to seek approval and validation by man. Ultimately, God’s opinion of us is the only one that matters. Living seeking man’s approval many times leads to disappointment and feeling unworthy. And guess what else I am reminded of? I need to live like I believe that I am Jesus’ favorite. I need to live like I am somebody special!

Now, I am not suggesting that we give off an air of self-righteousness and haughtiness, but I am suggesting that we need to be living as if we TRULY believe the things Jesus says about us. For instance, and just to name a few:

I am a child of God (John 1:12)
I am a friend of Jesus (John 15:15)
I am justified and redeemed (Romans 3:24)
I am a fellow heir with Christ (Romans 8:17)
My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in me (1 Corinthians 6:19)
I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3)
I am God's workmanship created to produce good works (Ephesians 2:10)
I am a citizen of Heaven (Philippians 4:7)
God loves me and has chosen me (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

WOW! Can you imagine what people would see in us if we started to live as if we believe those things? Don't you think we would ACT differently, THINK differently, and FEEL differently because of the things that the Creator and Most High God says about us? I think we would couldn’t help to act as if we were
someone's favorite, like we are receiving special privileges from the Teacher! We need to stop wishing and wear our “shirts” proudly. You are God's high and holy favored my friends, and when others ask “what makes you so special?”, don't be afraid to tell them and lead them straight to the cross.

So the desire and prayer of my heart during this season of Love, is that we remember and know that we are Jesus' favorite - even when we are not wearing our t-shirt’s as a gentle reminder. Thank you Jesus (and Connie) for the gift!!!

God is Good...All the time!!

Submitted by:  Lori Bratcher, Jr. & Sr. High Youth Leader & Chair of Christian Education Committee