Discombobulated by Divine Bias | Lisa Harper | Gateway Church

Summer brings back so many memories. Last night, I sat outside in the countryside, about 30 minutes south of Nashville, Tennessee, watching fireflies for half an hour. As I sat there, I thought, this is what summer feels like.

Just last weekend, I was in a friend’s neighborhood, and I heard the sound of an ice cream truck. It instantly took me back to childhood, making me so happy that I almost wanted to put on stretchy pants and indulge. There’s something about the smell of burgers on the grill, the sound of children playing, and the warm summer breeze that just makes you love this season.

But summer also reminds me of school. Six years ago, I started working on my doctorate, which required me to spend part of my summer in Denver at Denver Seminary. So, for me, school has always been tied to summertime. Right now, I’m in the middle of my doctoral journey, and I could definitely use some prayers—this thesis isn’t easy! Some days, I feel like the least qualified person in my program, but I love learning more about Jesus. Studying in Denver had an added blessing: on tough days, I could step outside, look at the mountains, and feel a sense of peace.

One particular moment from my studies stands out. Two summers ago, I was in my second-to-last doctoral class, sitting early in the classroom. There were just ten of us—mostly older students, because let’s be honest, it often takes time to forget the struggles of school before willingly returning.

Our professor, Dr. Brad Strait, walked in, set his papers down, and then did something unexpected. He stepped down from the podium and walked straight toward me. My heart raced. Memories of getting in trouble in high school for talking too much flashed in my mind. I thought, Oh no, am I in trouble?

Then, he stopped in front of me, placed his hands gently on the sides of my face, and said, Lisa, do you know that you’re God’s favorite?

I froze. My mind went blank. This felt so awkward! Nine other students were watching. I wasn’t even sure I had turned in a good paper. And honestly, I’ve struggled with an orphan spirit—growing up with a complicated family history, I always wanted peace, never to be singled out. But there I was, completely caught off guard.

Dr. Strait didn’t look away. He asked again, Do you know that you’re God’s favorite? The tension in the room was thick. He repeated it five times. By then, I was so uncomfortable, and I knew he wouldn’t stop unless I answered. So finally, I whispered, Yes, sir.

Then, he moved on to the next student and asked the same question. One by one, he told each of us that we were God’s favorite. After finishing the entire room, he walked back to the podium and said, Today, we’re going to talk about the immutable favor of God. He loves us unconditionally, and we are all His favorites.

That moment changed me. The truth is, God’s favor isn’t about earning it—it’s about receiving His love, knowing that we are His cherished children.

So today, I want to remind you: You are God’s favorite. His love for you is unshakable, unconditional, and everlasting.

This version keeps the heart of the story while improving clarity, flow, and SEO readability. Let me know if you’d like any tweaks!