Here we are at another installment of The Gospel According to, where I connect all the fandoms that are already beautiful with Bible verses and “truth nuggets” that make them even more meaningful. This week’s episode is focused on an exquisitely beautiful love song, “Next To Me” by Imagine Dragons. If you haven’t already, please go listen to this song. It’s so beautiful! And stay tuned for why I love it so much 💖
Fandom: “Oh, I always let you down… I’m far from good, it’s true, but still I find you, next to me.” – Imagine Dragons
Verses: Romans 5:6-8, Matthew 5:4, Romans 3:22-24, Colossians 2:6-7
Nugget: Even though we let Jesus down every single day, He still loves us and will never leave us.
“I’m far from good, it’s true…”
“Oh, I always let you down, you’re shattered on the ground, but still I find you there, next to me. And oh, stupid things I do, I’m far from good it’s true, but still I find you, next to me.” – Imagine Dragons
I was looking at a different Imagine Dragons song when this one popped up apparently out of nowhere. As I’m writing this, we’re in the second week of Lent, and while I don’t practice it as Catholics do, I have been thinking about the journey that led Jesus to the cross and me to salvation.
One of those themes included the verse “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” from Matthew 5. This verse talks about ordinary grief, but also the deep sorrow associated with realizing how deeply my sin hurts God. Every time I sin, God, who knows every thought and action I’ve ever done, takes note and it hurts Him.
Not only do my sins hurt God, but there is no way for me to make it better. I will always fail, even on my best days. “For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Romans 3:22-23 ESV
So why stay?
“…But still I find you, next to me.”
Why would God even bother sticking around? Whether in history or in the present day, on a grand human-race or an individual level, humans really aren’t worth too much. On our own, we’re an egocentric people, only seeking our own ends. And while we do have our good qualities, they ultimately come from the fact that we’re made in God’s image; without Him, we’d be nothing more than flesh and blood.
Want to read more about this topic? Check out The Gospel According to Owl City: With You ☺💖
And yet, He stays, here for the stubborn Israelites in the Old Testament, here to protect the Church in the New Testament, and here on an individual basis in my own life. For some incomprehensible reason, God’s patience and mercy and forgiveness of my sins are unending.
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8 ESV
Woah. I’ve heard or read this verse so many times, but wow. I’ve got nothing truly good to offer, nothing that God hasn’t already given me, and yet. Christ, the Son of God, died. for. me. WHAAAAAAAAA?!?!
“So thank you for taking a chance on me…”
And not only that, but He also chooses to keep being patient and kind and loving with me every single day, even though I flake or snub my time with Him for an extra ten minutes of sleep? Or when I don’t show enough gratitude for the things He blesses me with, He still keeps blessing me anyway? Knowing this makes me want to laugh, and cry, and sing, and dance, and just yesssss thank you sweet Jesus 😭☺💖😻
“…And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24 ESV
Acknowledging my sin, knowing that I have nothing to offer and there’s nothing I could do, no standard of righteousness to maintain in order to keep myself in God’s good graces, is a huge relief. That’s what Jesus meant when He said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). My only response to this, is giving thanks every day for the riches of God’s mercy and the infinite depths of His love.
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7
Amen!!
“So thank you, for taking a chance on me, I know it isn’t easy, but I hope to be worth it…” – Imagine Dragons
I hope this post encouraged and inspired you. If you it did, please share with all your friends using the graphic below. And let me know what your favorite song is down below!
Happy fangirling!
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[…] “Next To Me,” which I find absolutely stunning (the song and the artwork lol). You can read more about the song here […]
[…] “Imagine Dragons’ Next To Me (This one made me cry a little 🤩😭💖) […]
[…] In a previous post about this song, I reflected a bit more on what it means to mourn over our own sinfulness. Check it out here if you’re interested! […]
[…] Imagine Dragons’ Next To Me (This one made me cry a little 🤩😭💖) […]