ALWAYS- means at all times; on all occasions. Sometimes it means throughout a long period of the past, “She had always loved him.” In other cases it means for all future time; forever. Always means repeatedly and at times annoyingly, “We always have broccoli for dinner!” Finally it is used to convey a last resort; failing all else, “We could always move if this doesn’t work out.”
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I don’t know about you, but in my marriage the use of the words ALWAYS and never are fighting words that automatically get push back! Even if 85 to 99.99% of the time we’ve done or said the thing we’ve been accused of (and we know it); we cling to that one time or that .01% and say, “I don’t ALWAYS do or say that!!” Maybe that’s why we’re conditioned to devalue the positive impact and consistency of the word always…except when Walmart uses it, “Always low prices…Always, lol!” The idea that we could constantly be good, loving, reliable, predictable, steady and unchanging is a bit unsettling. ALWAYS seems impossible, maybe even compulsive…but it’s Biblical!
Rejoice in the Lord, ALWAYS, and again I say, Rejoice! (Phil 4:4) Come on! Seriously? I’m always supposed to be filled with joy? I’m always supposed to be so conscious of God’s grace and favor toward me that it fills me up and I joy again?! Yes, Ma’am or Sir! ALWAYS – at all times, on all occasions, repeatedly and sometimes annoyingly to others. Lord, help ME! Paul affirmed the Philippian church because they had, “always obeyed” whether he was present or absent from them, and urged that they continue to work out the
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salvation of their souls. (Phil 2:12) Always obeyed?! Really? Peter told the saints to always be ready to give a reason for the hope that was in them. (1 Peter 3:15) The Corinthians were admonished to “be steadfast, un-moveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58) At the NCAA Basketball Tournament this year, teams wore gear that said they were “ALWAYS Reppin!” representing their allegiance to their school. We’re ALWAYS Reppin too! re-presenting Christ to the world.
