Hey y'all! I know my blogs haven't been consistent, but I plan to write whenever I have the free time at work. I have not been able to purchase a laptop, and the only other computer I have access to is here at work! I hope you understand and are willing to stick with me! The topic I will be writing about is one that a LOT of people try to avoid. It is not something many people talk about anymore mainly because they do not want to hurt a person's feelings.
Popularity is defined as "The state or condition of being liked, admired, or supported by many people" (Oxford Dictionary). Knowing that you are liked, loved, and admired by people is a great feeling! You have a ton of friends and people to talk to and hang out with. You are well-known across the state or even worldwide. Someone mentions your last name and everybody knows who that person is talking about. There is nothing wrong with being popular, but there comes a time where you are going to have to make some "difficult" decisions.
There have been many times in my twenty years of living where I have seen people worship someone who is popular. This person's popularity got the best of them, and they soon started letting their standard slip. They started laying out of church more often, coming in late, wearing their clothes a little tighter/shorter/lower. They began to do things they were raised up against. They became rebellious toward their parents and their pastor. But why? All to keep a name? To keep popularity? Later on, you hear people speak of how they were going to do great things for the Lord. They had a tender heart that was open to whatever the Lord asked them to do. Yet, somehow, here they are... backslid, bruised, and broken.
Those "difficult" decisions aren't actually difficult at all. A simple "yes" to do what you know is right is all it takes. Many times, we let the fear of disapproval from people get in the way of approval from God. Living for the approval of people keeps us from the purpose of God. The sum of OUR choices DETERMINES our life. A great example of this is Moses. Hebrews 11:24-26 says this: "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward." He thought it was better to suffer for Christ's sake, rather than take part in the treasures and riches of Egypt. He knew his purpose for God would give a greater reward than anything Egypt and the Pharaoh had to offer.
Popularity may get you more friends, but purpose will push you through your pain. Purpose EMPOWERS you to please God. Acts 5:29 reads, "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." You may disappoint people simply because you do not want to conform to their standard just to be "popular." That's okay. It is not a bad thing to want to please God. All he wants from us is a willing heart, and a desire to please him. Serving God with purpose may not be the popular choice, but it is the right choice. And that is all He asks for.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
