Popularity...
It's a word that everyone from 1st grade to college is probably familiar with.
Let's be honest, this contest of who's-the-prettiest/hottest, who-dresses-the-best, or who-is-so-perfect isn't pretty. The entire idea of popularity itself inspires some things that we can probably all agree are not good.
1. Depression
Popularity isn't just a game. Both popular and unpopular alike struggle with negativity. Those at the bottom of the chain feel left out, and they're treated See More like they're worthless. The popular kids struggle with making sure they're good enough. I read about someone in particular who got so obsessed with just trying to be good enough for her friends (which her friends, in turn, were doing for her) that she literally started considering suicide. Then she met Jesus, and now she's happy raising a Christian family with 19 kids, three of which are married now.
2. Gossip
Probably the most obvious. OK, before we get started, because I know a lot of people are going to argue with me on this (I did not long ago), I'm going to copy and paste the definition of gossip.
Dictionary.com:
"noun
1.idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others:
'...the endless gossip about Hollywood stars.'"
So gossip is basically talking about other people's business. MYOB? Irrelevant.
So if you don't want people prying into your private life, what right do you have to pry into theirs?
3. Negativity
If there is any system where one person is deemed better than another, than the person considered not-as-good will feel left out or hurt. And in the long run, it may fester inside that person until he/she hurts the other one back. In this scenario, everyone gets hurt.
4. American Spirit
In the political arena, America struggles against one person being the sole ruler of anything in government. So why does this situation of feudalism thrive in the culture of this generation? This girl is so popular that anyone will do almost anything to get her attention and join the "elite" group of populars. This gives that one girl power over everybody else. It gives that single person control over the rest. This totally contradicts the idea of American freedom.
So, in conclusion, popularity isn't a good thing. But it's not just going to go away. And if it does, something else is going to rise to replace it. People aren't perfect. We just aren't. But Jesus is. With him, we can learn, we can try, we can change. Through him is the only way to true life, everlasting joy. He's offering us a gift. On Christmas Day, do you refuse to even believe that that big box with the gift you've been wanting doesn't even exist? Of course not. So why in the world would you refuse eternal life?
It's a word that everyone from 1st grade to college is probably familiar with.
Let's be honest, this contest of who's-the-prettiest/hottest, who-dresses-the-best, or who-is-so-perfect isn't pretty. The entire idea of popularity itself inspires some things that we can probably all agree are not good.
1. Depression
Popularity isn't just a game. Both popular and unpopular alike struggle with negativity. Those at the bottom of the chain feel left out, and they're treated See More like they're worthless. The popular kids struggle with making sure they're good enough. I read about someone in particular who got so obsessed with just trying to be good enough for her friends (which her friends, in turn, were doing for her) that she literally started considering suicide. Then she met Jesus, and now she's happy raising a Christian family with 19 kids, three of which are married now.
2. Gossip
Probably the most obvious. OK, before we get started, because I know a lot of people are going to argue with me on this (I did not long ago), I'm going to copy and paste the definition of gossip.
Dictionary.com:
"noun
1.idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others:
'...the endless gossip about Hollywood stars.'"
So gossip is basically talking about other people's business. MYOB? Irrelevant.
So if you don't want people prying into your private life, what right do you have to pry into theirs?
3. Negativity
If there is any system where one person is deemed better than another, than the person considered not-as-good will feel left out or hurt. And in the long run, it may fester inside that person until he/she hurts the other one back. In this scenario, everyone gets hurt.
4. American Spirit
In the political arena, America struggles against one person being the sole ruler of anything in government. So why does this situation of feudalism thrive in the culture of this generation? This girl is so popular that anyone will do almost anything to get her attention and join the "elite" group of populars. This gives that one girl power over everybody else. It gives that single person control over the rest. This totally contradicts the idea of American freedom.
So, in conclusion, popularity isn't a good thing. But it's not just going to go away. And if it does, something else is going to rise to replace it. People aren't perfect. We just aren't. But Jesus is. With him, we can learn, we can try, we can change. Through him is the only way to true life, everlasting joy. He's offering us a gift. On Christmas Day, do you refuse to even believe that that big box with the gift you've been wanting doesn't even exist? Of course not. So why in the world would you refuse eternal life?
on February 16, 2015
