God Is in the Evens

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NIV)

One thing I enjoy about studying the Bible is when new things pop out at me. Recently, I have been amazed at the number of times I have come across the word even. A quick search of Merriam-Webster revealed several definitions; however, I think the word is mostly used as an adverb in the Scriptures I have read. Here’s a summary of even used as an adverb, as an intensive to indicate, stress, or emphasize:

• extreme or highly unlikely condition
• small or minimum amount
• comparative degree
• character of something

Now, when I come across the word even, I really take notice of it and take in what is going on. I want to share with you a few instances where I am finding God in the evens.

Even There

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Ps. 139:7-10 NIV, emphasis added)

I shared a couple of years ago about when I was in an Even There season of life. I love these verses and the magnitude of God’s presence in our life. No matter where you are, no matter how alone or lost, God is with you. There is nowhere you can flee from his presence. God is omnipresent. God is capable of literally being everywhere at the same time.

We have limitations. I cannot be at my daughter’s dance recital and my son’s soccer game at the same time. I cannot be lying on a beach and skiing on a mountain at the same time. But God can.

God is with us for the mountaintop highs, and he is with us in the low of the valley. No matter where you are at, know that God is there. Even there.

 Even If

“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”  (Dan. 3:16-18 NIV, emphasis added)

Sometimes I need the reminder of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Their faithfulness is something I admire and seek to have. It is so hard not to want what we want. It is hard when we think we know what is best. But God’s ways are higher than our ways. There are many circumstances we will not understand. But we need to trust that God is still good. We already know God is always with us, so we need to trust that even if things are not going the way we think they should, God is still on the throne.

I have started to add even if to my prayers. Examples might be:

“God, please heal my friend. I know you can, but even if you don’t, I trust you with her life.”

“God, I thank you for the many blessings in my life. Lord, you know the desires of my heart, and I pray to be married, but even if your will if for me to be single, I will worship you.”

Even if God does not answer our prayers or save us from our fiery furnaces, he is still the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Even Now

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” (Joel 2:12-13 NIV)

Friends, I do not know what your past looks like. But know this — it is in the past. God is a now God. He cares about your heart – now. We all have a past. We all have regrets and disappointments and things we wish we had done differently. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. If you have allowed your past to keep you from experiencing the power and presence of our God, now is the time to take the next step.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your omnipresence in our life. We thank you that there is nowhere we can escape your presence. Lord, we acknowledge that you are a good and holy God, and your will and ways are so much higher than ours. Help us to have an even if faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And God, I am so very thankful that even now, you are still at work. Lord, I thank you for your compassion and for your desire for us to return to you even now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

“If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” (Ps. 139:11-12 NIV)

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” (1 Pet. 3:13-14 NIV)

“Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back. He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors. (Deut. 30:4-5 NIV)

Reach for More

Friends, which “even” do you need to live out more fully? Do you need to cling to God’s presence more and trust that even there, he is with you? Do you struggle with wanting your own desires over God’s and need to practice and even if faith? Or are you being held back by your past and need to break the chains to rend your heart to our even now God?  We would love to hear about what next steps you are taking.

Heather Gerwing is living the full life with her husband, Jeff, four kids, and a dog in Metro Detroit. Heather enjoys reading, writing, coffee-ing, and serving in youth ministry. She was born a Jersey girl and feels most at home on a beach. She is the host of the monthly link-up, Share Four Somethings. You can join Heather on the journey to living the full life at www.heathergerwing.com.

Photograph © Amador Loureiro, used with permission