Extras

There are no extras in life.

In the background of our favorite movies, actors called "extras" fill in all the gaps to make scenes look realistic: a crowd at a baseball game, diners in a restaurant, people walking on a busy sidewalk.

Everyday, in our real lives we see people in the background too.  I was at a concert recently (shout out to Casting Crowns) and I looked around at the crowd.  There were about 3,000 people there and suddenly I realized that God knows every single one of them.  He knows each name, each life and every thought of each of those people. 

The entire Bible teaches us that God loves every single person.  He loves us all unconditionally and equally.

No one is "extra" to God.

No one has a "bit part".  Your waitress, your neighbor, the guy behind you in traffic, your coworkers, your classmates and the girl standing in your way at the grocery store are not "extras" in your life.  Each one of them is someone that God loves, someone that Jesus died to save.  Just like you.  Each one is made in the image of God and is just as important to God as you are.  And never forget that you are never "extra" either.

This is an amazing truth that should affect your life. God tells us to love our neighbors (Mark 12:31), our enemies (Matthew 5:44), other Christians (John 13:34-35) and-oh yeah-EVERYONE:

1 Thessalonians 3:12a "And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow,"     

"For God so loved"...who? Smart people? Attractive people? Friendly people? Interesting people? Important people? No.  

"For God so loved the WORLD, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NLT (emphasis mine)

Stop condemning, comparing and coveting. Don't get down on yourself or up on yourself. These are all sins that I struggle with and they are not good for me.  They don't add anything to my life. They steal a lot of peace and joy, in fact. 

Remind yourself of who you are and who everyone else is and you won't regret it.  You are LOVED by God and so is everyone else. 

God has given you invincible love, grace and joy, so overflow!  Spread the love!!!

In God's Universe, There Are No Extras. 

Music Video - Headphones by Britt Nicole

 

I love this song.  Britt Nicole is a ray of sunshine.  I always think of the Bible as my "headphones".  When I'm feeling sad, scared, insecure, discontent, cranky or whatever; I can always go to the Bible and read about HOW MUCH God LOVES me!  No matter what the rest of the world says or what I say to myself, God says "I LOVE YOU!!!".  Just like headphones, I can use God's wonderful words to block out all the bad stuff and just hear His sweet, comforting love.    

God created me and He has loved me every second of my existence.  And He feels the same way about you.  He gives us His attention, His hope, help, wisdom and love.  And the Bible explains it all.

  Most importantly He has given us the promise of Heaven and forgiveness through His own Son, Jesus.  He wholeheartedly offers us His love and all we have to do is say yes!

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NLT

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:38-39 NLT

Let the Bible be your "Headphones" and LOVE will ALWAYS come through!

"I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love,
for You have seen my troubles,
and You care about the anguish of my soul."
Psalm 31:7 NLT

     Anytime you feel alone put on your headphones.