Nevertheless

I will admit, I always wished I had a better vocabulary. I have often been impressed by people who seemed to come up with a creative way of expressing themselves, and to be honest I have envied their ability to craft a phrase. And it's not always "big" words that make those who spoke them sound intelligent. Sometimes it's knowing how you use just the right term in the right way.

One such word that I wish I said more is nevertheless. It's an adverb, which means "in spite of, or notwithstanding." It sometimes sounds a little strange in our modern vernacular, and can be awkward to work into a sentence. We may be more inclined to say, "but," or "however," or "yet," or "still." But nevertheless does say it so well. And there are so many good ways to say it.

Nevertheless is a term about contrast, and about choices. The circumstances may not be what I would have asked for; nevertheless I will make the best of what I have.

So, I don't feel so good today. Nevertheless, I'm going to get up and get going. Even if my progress is slow, I'm going to move forward.

I'm offended by what they said to me. Nevertheless, I will choose to forgive, and refuse to become bitter. God's done too much for me to stay stuck on this.

Nobody seems to appreciate what I'm doing right now. Nevertheless, I'm going to serve God wholeheartedly. My reward comes from the Lord, and he sees, and He knows, and that's enough.

Just think of all the opportunities you and I have to use that word today, as we make decisions to not allow our circumstances to dictate our attitude or our actions. And, for whatever it's worth, the Bible is filled with nevertheless statements. Here are a few examples:

God loves His children with a nevertheless love:

"Nevertheless, I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you." (Ezekiel 16:60)

Jesus calls us to follow Him with a nevertheless obedience:

"But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing. Nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5)

In Christ, we are called to a nevertheless faith:

"I have been crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Let me encourage you to choose nevertheless faith and nevertheless obedience today, as you experience the nevertheless love of our Heavenly Father. I will be praying for you, as I hope you will for me, and I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.