Saturday, July 14, 2012

SEEK POPULARITY AT YOUR OWN RISK!


airbag visor warning

A quote I hold to my heart, nearly as close as Scripture (for better or for worse):

“Every effect that one produces gives one an enemy. To be popular one must be a mediocrity”
-Oscar Wilde

How important is it for you to be liked?

Do you remember how dumb you were in middle school (junior high for some)?

I was raised to put others first—to a fault, in spite of myself.

I decided to play a joke on a classmate—this was 7th grade, I held the door closed as he had trouble entering the classroom from the outside. I eventually released it and found myself pivoting to gallop away. He rebuked my prank by releasing the metal-balled chain adorning his neck, and whipped me in the back with a furious blow.

Is it shameful to confess we became somewhat pseudo-friends in computer class months later (by my design of course)?

Popularity produces mediocrity like infection will produce death.

Jesus never promised me, or any of us popularity for associating ourselves with His wounds. The thought is ludicrous, if you only think of it: they tore into him like a Thanksgiving Day bird and hung Him by nails to wood—and by following in His footsteps we should expect...what exactly?

First place in line for promotions? Heartfelt apologies from those who've offended us? How about just being treated well, and depicted as people most of the time? Our (meaning, my) faith in men is too high.

“Beware of men (Matthew 10:17),” was Jesus' charge to disciples on the first missionary journey. It wasn't “test the waters,” or “most folks are totally cool,” but “Beware.”

How does that look, practically? Well, Jesus says it in the previous verse: “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Love but don't be stupid. Care for a stray but be weary of its bite.

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. “
-Matthew 7:6

Seek popularity at your own risk.

In Him,

Jean-Marc

No comments:

Post a Comment