Nevertheless

Nevertheless, an adverb meaning: in spite of that; notwithstanding; all the same…

 I have thought this word over the past couple months. A sister in the church spoke about Nevertheless, Yes. She talked about Jesus’s journey to the cross: Luke 22:42 KJV “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” You see, even Jesus had a moment, in the Garden where He prayed, to the Father, that if it were possible for salvation to happen any other way then let it be… Nevertheless, He put His own will aside to do the will of the Father, knowing that He had to endure the cross, He had to make the painful journey for mankind. This was His Nevertheless, Yes.

What is your nevertheless?

I find in my little life I have multiple opportunities to exercise my nevertheless. Funny how life works like that! I was out at a restaurant today and my service was not the greatest. I wanted to speak up. I wanted to do unto others… Nevertheless, I was convicted in my spirit for even thinking those things, my tongue was bridled, I tipped more than 20%. Why? Because, it’s not about me. I call myself a follower of Christ, what would He have done?

Earlier in the day, I found myself in an uncomfortable situation a couple times. I wished to run. I began having thoughts of leaving that place and never returning. Nevertheless, I remembered, Greater is He that is in me, than He that is in the world. I know that I have only to stand, to stay on my post, and I speak life into that situation and into that life.

Today and yesterday, others have placed their emotions on me – feelings I refuse to own. Nevertheless, I speak life into each individual. I pray for each person. I no longer see it as weakness to turn the other cheek, time and after time, again and again, in order to keep the peace.

You see life happens to us all – good times and not-so-good times. What is your response in these times? Is it the same in the good and not-so-good? “No, this doesn’t feel good right now, nevertheless, I will praise the Lord, because He is worthy!” “Yes, this person did that thing to me, nevertheless, I will not be moved. I will pray for that person.” Yes, I have lost the very thing that I desired most in this world, nevertheless, I trust in You, Lord. I may not know what tomorrow will bring, or how this will get done, nevertheless, I trust You. I don’t want to go to that place, nevertheless, wherever You lead me, I will follow, anywhere You tell me, there will I go. This place, this job, I don’t/didn’t want to leave – it was comfortable, I loved it, they loved me! Nevertheless, not my will, Lord, Thy will be done in my life. I know You have something greater. All things work together for the good of them that love the Lord and walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh.

Though times become challenging and maybe even seem too much to bear, I have a nevertheless I will serve You. Nevertheless, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whenst comes my help; where does my help come from? My help comes from Lord who made the heavens and the earth.

*Original image taken by my daughter in Utah*