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
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