I’ve been sitting on the concept of “even if,” this last week.
What does it mean to give God my even if?
I was in my car having a jam sesh before I left and the mashup by Mass Anthem called “Reckless Love/ Even If” came on (freakin great song if your into mashups). The lyric that hit me was,
“I know Your able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone”
I immediately thought of the story in Daniel 3, of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It’s one most of us probably know, and if you don’t you should read it! (It’s a personal favorite) As I thought about the story this time though it was like seeing it with a new pair of eyes.
When these three men refused to bow before and worship an idol made by the King of Babylon they had no idea they’d be unharmed upon being thrown into a furnace. No Angel of the Lord appeared to inform them of God’s plan.
Yet they had heard the stories of God parting the Red Sea and freeing their people from slavery in Egypt. They had heard of the many amazing signs, wonders, and miracles of our God. They knew God was able and that nothing was beyond Him, yet to refuse to bow was them giving their “even if.” To me its as if they were saying, “even if you don’t save us from this furnace, our hope is You alone.”
I realized that I needed more of that “even if” attitude. Even if I don’t receive that healing I’ve been long awaiting… Even if I don’t find “the one” by age… whatever… Even if I’ve failed a thousand times and I’m lost as to why… Even if that person was closed off to the gospel…
Even if You don’t, my hope is You alone.
This “even if” attitude is not meant to stunt our faith, and keep us from being expectant. It’s meant to grow our faith and actually enable us to be all the more expectant. When our hope is in Him alone, were not worried about the results of our life events, rather we find ourselves with a heart of thankfulness and in a posture of hope in the victory that we’ve already been given in Christ.
I write all this to say that our hope shouldn’t be in the amazing things our God can do, but in God himself. I shouldn’t go off chasing the miraculous and that’s not how I want to lead my new squad, rather I should go off chasing Jesus and watch the miraculous follow suit. I should be expectant and open this year (and the rest of my life) because I will see the miraculous. I will see Holy Spirit moving in me and through me bringing healing to myself, those around me, and the world abroad.
Meet my Co-Squad Leader Emily
From left to right this is my leadership team: Eric (team leader), Stephanie (Squad Mentor), Leah (team leader), Meghan (team leader), Emily (Co-squad leader), and of course myself. I’ve linked all of their blogs to their names. They are still fundraising so feel free to donate!
