EXTRA

The girls have adopted a new phrase around the home, “extra”. 

 “Mom, stop being so extra!” they complain. 

If your lecture exceeds their short attention span, you're extra.  If you've taken one too many photos, you're extra.  If you ask them to dress up and dress nice, you're extra.  Anything that’s not the bare minimum, is extra. 


Sadly, we've become a culture where going above and beyond or out of your way is frowned upon.

We’re so comfortable and accustomed to the mediocre, that it’s out of the ordinary to go the extra mile.  

While studying the book of Genesis this month, we had a major attitude readjustment.  The context of our story was taken out of Abraham's pursuit of a spouse for his only son, Isaac.  Abraham sends his servant to a faraway country to find Isaac a wife.  

…Go unto my country…take a wife unto my son Isaac. (Gen. 23:4 KJV)

I'm convinced the servant in this story also resembles the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is in search of a bride for God’s only son, Jesus.

The servant prays for God's favor and asks God to send the right bride.  As he sits by the well, he prays, let the young lady that I ask for a drink offer to give my camels a drink.

Along comes Rebekah.

Notice how he approaches her…

“Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.” (vs. 18)

While he only asks for a little, we know he was expecting a lot.

A young lady who goes above and beyond without complaining would surely make an excellent wife for Isaac.  

Likewise, the Holy Spirit is searching for those who willingly give their all for the sake of his kingdom.

Rebekah responds just as the servant had hoped.

…She said, Drink, my lord:…And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also,…(vs.19)

Rebekah was extra.  

It didn’t matter that it was probably the same lowly, redundant task, she performed day after day. She did it with excellence and went above and beyond. Exactly the type of bride the servant was looking for. 

Supporting text

And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. (Matt. 5:41)