Even if…such a powerful phrase. Too often as we go about our daily lives, we can identify circumstances that allow us to quite easily be the hands and feet of Jesus. You know, when the elderly gentleman in the grocery store drops his keys – we smile to ourselves, bend down quickly and gently hand him the keys.
Or the coworker you sit beside 40 hours a week comes into the office on a Monday morning completely broken. After 20 years of marriage her husband has left home for a woman half her age. Giving encouraging words and walking alongside her is our “Christian” duty. That’s an easy one for us.
Even the sweet old lady that parked her car in two parking spots causing us a bit of inconvenience is typically overlooked on one of our “good” days…we just smile and park a bit further away.
You see, it’s really not difficult for me to encourage those that I determine “deserve” encouragement. To walk alongside those who haven’t hurt me, misled me, wronged me or stabbed me in the back – well that’s a piece of cake. But there are others, and if I’m honest, I think they just don’t “deserve” my kindness, my joy, my love, my encouragement or my time.
Oh, you have them too…those “others”…you know, the husband that apparently has the inability to complete the seemingly simple task of putting his dirty socks in the laundry basket after 8 years of marriage? Or the brother that just “forgets” you exist and you can’t seem to make it right? Or maybe it’s the mom who’s always defending your sister whose life is a complete wreck? It could be the coworker that just got the job that you were entitled?
BUT GOD…There is always a BUT GOD…
You see scripture reminds me that “even if” it doesn’t make sense, “even if” I don’t understand, “even if” things aren’t going the way I want them to, “even if” I’m afraid, forgotten, abandoned or mistreated…God is still in control.
In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego told King Nebuchadnezzar:
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do
not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the
blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us
from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your
Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have
set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
You see, they knew something we need to remember today…God sees us, He has a plan and purpose for us, and His plans are never, ever dependent on what others may or may not do to us…or for us.
Friends, today, no matter how you may feel…even if you feel there’s been an injustice against you… even if you go home and find several pairs of dirty socks you need to pick up and put in the laundry… even if you’re called to help train the person that was hired for your position…..let’s do what Jesus has called us to do….let’s do good… even if…
For God
called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as
Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
(1 Peter 2:21)
Let’s do what’s right… even if you suffer…
But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you
for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. (1 Peter 3:14)
Let’s submit to the authority in our lives – whether it’s our husband, or our supervisor…. even if…
You who are
slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not
only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they
are cruel. (1 Peter 2:18)
In the same
way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will
speak to them without any words. They will be won over. (1 Peter 3:1)
Let’s trust Him… even if you’re afraid…
Though a
mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am
attacked, I will remain confident. (Psalm 27:3)
Let’s trust Him… even if you’re wronged…
Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns
again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” (Luke 17:4)
Be careful
to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they
accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will
give honor to God when he judges the world. (1 Peter 2:12)
What is your even if today?
But I will
rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it
out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an
offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. (Philippians 2:17)
