Currently Reading Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry By Doug Fields see related

Popularity vs Purpose

First of all...I've always wanted to know how claims something to be cool or uncool.  It's always seemed to me that the popular kids were the ones who had the most money, and then whatever actions they did were deemed quote "cool".  I was always in between the really cool kids and the not so cool kids I guess you could say.  During middle school and high school years, being popular seemed so important...you just didn't want to be uncool...that just wasn't acceptable.  So what did we do?...we conformed to whatever appeared to be popular during that time period.  People jumped on the bandwagon on so many aspects of life that revolved all around popularity.  If we were popular...everything would be perfect...we'd have no problems in life...we would be complete...

Then I woke up from my dream world and actually pondered a meaningful thought.  Who seriously gives a crap what people think is cool or not?  Why does it really matter???  Shouldn't we be who we are...you know...be the individuals that God created us to be???  Some of you may read this and think..."Oh...I bet Clark wasn't popular...and he's just jealous of the wonderful life I've been living..."  I wish you could personally witness me laughing in your face.  But seriously...why do we conform to what the TV, or Mr. Rich Guy things is a good idea???  People in thie world comment so much on being a rebel, and being out on their own...doing their thing.  What are you talking about???  You are doing somebody else's thing...what's so "rebellious" about doing what 50 others are doing?  People don't want to be Christians because they don't want to have to conform to something and weigh down their free spirit.  So...what is this lifestyle of following what MTV has to say doin for ya?  Guess you aren't conforming to any rules or guidelines there.  You won't go to Church on Sunday morning, but you won't be dead caught out in public without your collar popped...

The only good conformity in this wonderful world we live in is conforming to Christ.  God made us...so you figure if we follow his guidelines, we'll probably function better than if we didn't.  God doesn't ask too much...when the disciples asked which commandment was the most important...Jesus said only 2, Love the Lord God with all your Heart, Soul, and Mind...and Love Your Neighbor.  I think I can be pretty cool and follow those rules.  God's a straight shooter...and he'll carry you on through anything.  That sounds like my kinda of friend.