Today’s Daily Bread ~ No bit parts…

John 1:1-5 – In the beginning the Word already existed.  He was with God, and he was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  He created everything there is.  Nothing exists that He didn’t make.  Life itself was in Him, and this life gives light to everyone.  The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

I sing with the praise band (Reign) at my church, Trietsch Memorial United Methodist.  We always run a few songs before the service starts, and I like to bring Caitlyn with me.  Sometimes I let her hold the microphone.  She doesn’t have an ounce of stage-fright, never has.  A few Sundays ago she sat through the service instead of going to her class.  At the end, as everyone was leaving, she ran up onto the stage, so I picked her up and let her finish out the song with us.  When it was over, she grabbed the microphone and hollered at the top of her lungs, “Did everybody have a good time?”  There is no question that this little girl is my kid.

Growing up, I was the same way.  I would wrangle all the kids in the neighborhood together and we’d put on plays, musicals and talent shows at least a couple times a month.  One constant – I always had the lead role.

As a freshman at Mounds View High School in Mounds View, MN, I tried out for the spring musical.  It was Guys & Dolls, and I desperately wanted the part of Adelaide.  When I didn’t get it, I was crushed.  I considered backing out, but then figured if I did that they’d never cast me in anything.  So I took my role as a “Hot Box Girl” and made as much out of it as I could.  And I had a blast.

Anytime you’re part of a production there are major and minor roles.  Some so big that the show simply can’t go on without them and some so small that no one would notice if they went away.  Not in life, though.

We are all a part of God’s perfect plan.  God is the Master Conductor, the Great Director, weaving everything together to bring glory to His Son – the Shining Star.  Jesus was, is and always will be.  As hard as we try to make life about us, it simply isn’t.  There is a bigger picture.  We are all a part of God’s beautiful tapestry.

That being said, there are no bit parts in this production either.  No extras we can do without.  God treasures every soul.  2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise to return, as some people think.  No, He is being patient for your sake.  He does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent. 

I know a wonderful woman of God – she is truly amazing.  And she said something to me not long ago that just about broke my heart.  She said, “Now I know I’m just a nobody, I don’t even have any children.  But…”  She lost me at the “but.”  A nobody?  God didn’t make any nobodies.  Because she doesn’t have children??  Since when did offspring give us an identity?  Where in the world would anyone come up with that kind of notion?

I let it sit at the time, but when I saw her the following week I let her have it.  I told her that I thought she was one of the most brilliant examples of shining Christ’s light that I’ve ever seen.  Then I told her I couldn’t possibly see how having children would make her a more relevant person.  Lastly, I told her she was never allowed to refer to one of God’s own as a “nobody” ever again, even if she was talking about herself.

God doesn’t rank people like we do.  Having a leadership position does not make you more important to the church than a member of the congregation.  A church isn’t anything more than a building once you take the people out.  Having a job in the public eye does not make you more relevant than the people working behind the scenes.  I happen to work on the air at 96.3 KSCS in Dallas/Fort Worth.  I can rattle off 20 people, just off the top of my head that do a heck of a lot more for the station than I do, and are more valuable to the company than I am.  God does not make nobodies.

It is so important to me that you understand this – you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Every hair on your head is counted.  God created you with a special purpose in mind; one that only you can fulfill.  He planned for you to be born on the day you were born before the earth was made.  He planted you in your family, and gave you a circle of influence.  Now He sits back and says, “Make a difference.  Help them know me.  Love them as I do.  Be my hands and feet.” You are absolutely precious to God.  In God’s eyes, you are crucial to the Kingdom.  He would rather have Jesus die for you than spend eternity without you.  Meditate on that today.

Dear Heavenly Father, it is so easy to get wrapped up in the drama of everyday life, and forget that there is a bigger production in place.  One in which we all play crucial supporting roles.  Lord, You have carefully cast each one of us; help us to fulfill our roles.  The script is Your Word, the stage is earth, and the Star is Your Son.  Help us to remember that it’s not about us and our stuff – it’s about Jesus.  In the beginning was the Word…Jesus.  Jesus lives today and is coming soon.  Convict us to be ready, Lord.  Convict us to share the Good News boldly!  Please give us guidance, discernment and wisdom so that when we speak of Your Son, we plant seeds that can never be removed.  We love You, Lord, and we pray these things in Your Son’s precious name.  Amen.