Have you ever felt unworthy? Felt discarded because of a mistake? Do you feel like you should be thrown away because there’s no coming back this time? As a result of a decision, you feel undeserving of a bright future. You’re not alone. Everyone’s done something, they wished they’d done differently. Nevertheless, you’re still here and the story isn’t over.
The Story: Hosea 1-7
In Hosea 1-7, God told Hosea to marry Gomer, a prostitute. Although Gomer married Hosea and bore children with her husband, she continuously returned to the bed of other men. While out on one of her escapades, the Lord told Hosea to go get his wife and bring her back home. Each time she left, Hosea retrieved her. She was attracted to the streets; nevertheless, her husband’s commitment never wavered.
The marriage between Hosea and Gomer served as an example of God’s love for Israel. God was committed to Israel. Although Israel continuously left God and followed idols, God loved them. Israel practiced idolatry and followed the ways of foreign nations; nevertheless, they were God’s chosen people. They struggled with full reliance on an invisible God although His presence was ever present.
The Lesson
How many times do we act like Gomer and the Israelites? We return to living a life that wasn’t designed for us. We revel in the familiar although it’s harmful. Unfortunately, we remain connected to people who remind us of the past. Although we have new, we still run to the old. But what’s so attractive about the old and familiar?
- Know what to expect. No matter if the past was good or bad, we know how to navigate the situation. But is that enough? Are we willing to step out in faith and explore the possibilities of the future?
- People know us there. It’s helpful when people know you. However, is that enough to stay where we are?
- Too much work. Anything worth having requires work. However, laziness leads to lack and the absence of progress.
Nevertheless, there’s another way. We don’t have to remain saddled to the past. We can create a new normal. We can introduce people to the new us, meet new people, and explore new adventures. Fortunately, we’re not alone in this endeavor. Like Gomer and the Israelites, we have someone pursuing us. Someone calling us out of the old and inviting us to rise to the next level.
His name is Jesus. He knows all about us. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the unfortunate. Despite what He knows, He offers “nevertheless.” We can lay out the mistakes and He has a “nevertheless” for all of them.
Lord, I’ve ____________________ (fill in the blank).
God hears and responds.
-Nevertheless, I love you.
-Nevertheless, I forgive you.
-Nevertheless, I will never leave you.
-Nevertheless, I’m here for you.
And the list goes on. So let’s grab our “nevertheless” and move into what God has for us.
