A Popularity Contest

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 NIV.

We love to compare. Students have differing opinions on teachers, with some finding them great and others boring. A dad shares parental advice with another when they don't know the situation. Our comparisons sometimes degrade someone else. We can step into fragile situations and puff our chests.

I was told I was not Billy Graham or Charles Stanley. Then I am supposed to teach with more energy and elongate my words. Preachers did it on AM radio because of the static. Then got told someone left because they didn't like my preaching style. The more progressive pastor down the street caters to their feelings more than a Bible thumper like me.

Our uniqueness in Christ is powerful. It's perfectly okay that we are unlike them. We can take no offense to their comments. People get groomed to them through the world with shows and culture. It's funny how we place people in popularity categories. Then judge who is better. We are a people of comparisons. Whether searching for a better deal, a different religion, or a better church.

It's not a popularity contest. We are called to be how God designed us. My most successful years were when I used the gifts God gave me. I worked within my design and thrived. Let's encourage individuals to grow and embrace themselves. I pray we do. There are too many caught in popularity. 

Lead us to grow in our gifting, Lord. Let us see the uniqueness in ourselves and how You designed us to be. In Jesus’ name, amen.