Although … Elvis
Last week was Elvis’ birthday, and a thought hit me that I never remembered having before. What did the name Elvis mean? It turns out that people aren’t really sure. They do know that it is the anglicisation of the Irish Bishop’s name Ailbe of Emly. The latin for Ailbe is Albeus, which means although.
Isn’t that something? One of the most famous entertainers in history, and his name references “although”. In a way, it’s quite fitting.
Other singers had become famous, Crosby, Sinatra, although there had never been an Elvis before. A lot of singers were considered heart throbs, although no one went crazy over anyone quite like they did with Elvis.
For years it’s been debated whether or not Elvis faked his death. The facts seemed to always be followed up with an although. “Although it would be easy for someone like Elvis to succeed at it.” In the end, I don’t know, I doubt it, but that isn’t the although I’m thinking of.
Fans last week celebrated Elvis as if he was young, and they were still teenagers. Two young people in our family love Elvis, although he would be older than their grandparents. I don’t have a problem with that, you see my whole life is built on a much more precious although.
Although Adam sinned I’m forgiven. Although death reigned, you and I breathe. Finally, although hope searched Heaven and Earth for a sinless man, and came up empty. Still, I live, because although hope didn’t find a man, God became one. Christ was what we could never be without Him. He was sinless, selfless, and The Only Savior.
2 Samuel 23:5
5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
Our Pastor Denny Livingston preached a beautiful message from this verse. David looked at his life, remembered his mistakes, and still he found mercy. He had hope, not because of his mistakes, but in spite of them.
God loved Him enough to forgive Him, and He has done the same for you and I. We have Salvation, although we are so unworthy, He rescued us! Although we have made countless mistakes, He forgave us!
This world is filled with strife and heartache, it can hit us like a brick wall. Although we face problems, we don’t face them alone. Although, at times, we face an uphill battle, Christ mounted Calvary. He conquered through the pain, and so can we.
Habakkuk 3:17-18
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom,
neither shall fruit be in the vines;
the labour of the olive shall fail,
and the fields shall yield no meat;
the flock shall be cut off from the fold,
and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Although is considered a different point of view in an argument. Many times, a mind is made up, a course of action is decided on, until someone says although. They offer a different perspective, a lifeline, a ray of hope.
Maybe your today has started off badly, maybe you’re facing something that looks settled. Before a baby was named a conjunction in Memphis, Christ was a game changer in Bethlehem. Let Him be your Although this day.
Let God have your situation, and watch as He works. Soon, you’ll see hope where there wasn’t any. Mercy where you couldn’t see it before. His love will take you through a new door. An that fearful thing that held us, although its grip was so tight, has just left the building!
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