What does favor look like?

But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  Genesis 39:21

God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.  Daniel 1:9

You have granted me life and favor, and Your care has preserved my spirit.  Job 10:12

When you think of someone who has favor what comes to mind.  I hear this a lot when people pray, God grant me favor, but what does in look like?  Does it mean that I am trouble free, that things are going my way, that I am successful, have great husband, family, home?  What does it mean?

I think sometimes, when we pray for favor, we are praying for the things listed above.  If God grants us favor then things will start going right in our lives. 

But as I read the Bible I have noticed favor doesn't necessarily look like what we might think. 

Joseph was a prisoner when we are told that God gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  Wouldn't it had been better to just get him out of prison?  Isn't that what we want, Lord grant us favor by getting us out of this situation.  Take this prison that is holding my captive and remove me from it?  But God doesn't always do that, and even if He does, it may not be in our time. 

Daniel had been taken from his country and became a slave, is that favor? 

Then Job, who had everything taken, says that the Lord has granted him life and favor.

So while we are praying for favor, hoping that God will remove us from our circumstances, maybe, just maybe you have already have favor.  Maybe instead of praying for something to change, know the God is working in your life and has a purpose for what you are going through. 

When we stop looking for God to take us out of something, we can be open to what God is going to do in your life, right where you are. 

Rest in that assurance.  God has granted you life and favor. 

God bless you. 

Wake Up Call

There are certain things that happen in life, that come along, that are wake up calls.  One of those came yesterday, and it didn't happen to me directly, but happen to a friend, a co-worker of mine.  I knew that things had gotten tight at work, that we needed to watch what we spend.  But even knowing this, what happened yesterday took me totally by surprised.  I wasn't even in the office when it happened, I was out doing an event for my "Business", I was what I like to call "working my business" when it happened.  That is when they let my friend go at work.  No warning, just thank you for your time, you may take the rest of the day off.  She called my right after it happened.  At that time, I didn't know how bad things were at work, I didn't know if I would have a job when I went back. 
And then I started thinking, is this what I want?  Do I want to continuing working a "JOB" where every day could be my last day? Where I make what someone else has determined that I am worth or what the office can afford?  Do I want to work the hours that someone else has prescribed to me?  Work the days someone else tells me to?
 The answer was an overwhelming NO!!!!  This is not what I want.  For although, I still have that JOB today, who knows about Monday, next week, next month. 
Back to "working my business" I know I said that I was out "working my business" but I had to stop and think, was I really?  Do I actually go out with intention, when I attend different events for my business?  Or do I go out and what ever happens, happens, I will just wait and see?  I know the answer.
 If I was fully committed to my business, working it with intention, single focus, with my eye on the prize then I would be much further along then I am now.
So today, I will refocus on what I want, where I am going and how I am going to get there.  I will work with intention, knowing before each phone call, each meeting, each email, each time I step out of the house or get one the computer, what is it that I want to accomplish.  What is the purpose for this activity?  And then I will complete the task with that purpose in mind, knowing that the end result will be exactly what I purposed it to be.
I will pray each day, before the day begins, asking God for what He wants me to do that day, and then seeking His guidance on how to accomplish what it is that He has set before me.  I will pray before, during and after each activity.  And above all, I will praise God for everything that happens.  I will learn from things that did not go the way that was intended.  I will share with my team, and accountability partners all that happens, knowing that I need to surround myself with like minded people and help others to do the same.
 I will support others, always be gracious with people, follow through with promises, always remember that people are more important than gaining a sell, or new recruit.  I will work my business with integrity, knowing that who I am, is more important than what I do or what I sell.
Today I will begin this process, today I will do whatever it takes to be the person that God has called me to be, and to help others do the same.  The time is now for I am not guaranteed tomorrow.
I make this commitment to God, myself, my family, my friends and to you and ask for you to hold me accountable for everything I have written and committed too.
God Bless