God doesn't play favorites....

When we coached cheer and ran the youth group, there were always those few kids we were closer to.  I'm sure it seemed to an outsider, that John and I had "favorites" on the squad or "favorites" in the youth group.  However, I'm going to let you in on a little secret:  we loved each and every cheerleader who cartwheeled into our heart and each and every youth group kid who shuffled through our doorway.  Our love for those teenagers was equal.

"Well, Jami?" you might ask, "Then why was Sarah Gorski at your house so much more then anyone else?"  Here's the secret:  the difference was Sarah Gorski.  Sarah Gorski stopped over at our house after school got out.  Sarah Gorski called us and said, "I don't have plans tonight.  Can I come over?"  Sarah Gorski would call/text/e-mail... Sarah Gorski came to the birthday parties we held.  Sarah Gorski made herself a PRESENCE in the Kastner household and in every part of our lives.  We loved every single teenager just as much as we love Sarah Gorski, but we were closer to Sarah because SHE made the effort to be close to us.  Over the years there have been MANY just like this.  Maybe to you they appear to be favorites:  Krista Olearnick, Jessie Pennington, Erika Conner, Alicia Gac, Christina Miklos, Danielle Mabrey, Tracey Jenkins, Kat Friedl, Ben Houle, Royce Pochowski...  but you know what ALL of those kids had in common?  They made the effort to be closer to us... so they were.

I see this phenomenon happening in my very own family.  John loves ALL our children equally.  However, he has a special closeness with Noah.  This isn't because he loves Noah more.  It isn't really even because he and Noah are more similar (he's actually more like Jeremiah than Noah).  This is because, if Daddy is home, Noah is by his side.  Noah wants to be wherever John is.  Whether that's sweeping up garbage in the garage or playing Xbox, Noah wants to be there.  Jeremiah loves John but he doesn't pursue John the way Noah does.

It's like that with God you know.  He doesn't play favorites either.  He loves each and every one of us EXACTLY the same.  You know what the difference is?  Those who appear to be closer to Him.... Those who appear to "hear" from Him.... Those who seem to walk in sync with Him.... They are like that because THEY pursue Him.  People hear from God because they are listening.  People are close to God because they pursue Him.  People walk in sync with God because they want to be with Him.

Look at your life today.  Are you as close to God as you want to be?  No one can change that but YOU.  He has been pursuing you.  He loves you.  He WANTS to be closer to you.  He WANTS other people to think that you are His favorite.  He IS talking to you... are you listening?

Come near to God and He will come near to you.
James 4:8a