Popularity vs. Influence

This transition from high school to college has been a lot harder than I'd thought it'd be. To be completely honest, it was nice knowing that people liked me at home. At home, people knew who I was and what I've done. But here at college I'm just another passing face, nobody knows what I've done or what I like or where I'm from. I've been tempted to change myself and who I am in order to fit in quicker or find a group. Believe me, everyone says they won't but is extremely tempting and easy to do so. Now that I look at it I was pretty close to falling into this trap.

To be completely honest I love being loved by people, and I'd say most people would agree, hence popularity is a natural goal by many whether it is a conscious decision or not. However it is extremely easy to fall into a place where you find that you want to change yourself just to fit into a group. In the past month I've been here at UW, I've learned that God has chosen me already: I haven't done anything to deserve it and yet He has chosen me for a specific work. So I really want to emphasize that you are already chosen by a love that is unwavering and unfailing; you don't need the acceptance of the world.

So how can I influence anyone? I'm just me.

Great question! Yes you are "just" you. But you are just that! YOU. God has already CHOSEN you for something unique within His Kingdom. Ephesians 4 talks about the church as a body with many different parts, they're all different yet they work in unison towards a common goal. I'm not the greatest at doing things on time (hence I'm writing this at 12:30am before my Law midterm), however Beck is a bit of a neat freak about scheduling. Beck makes up for my weakness (still debatable if that's a weakness or not).

Would you rather lose an arm or leg?

Trick question. Neither!

Some people are called to full-time VOCATIONAL ministry. Quick tangent, I'm not a fan of the term "full-time ministry" because I believe everyone is called to full-time ministry, it's if it's vocational or not. Maybe you're studying to be an engineer; that's definitely no less than working in the church, God specifically CHOSE you and your unique gifts to make the world of engineering your ministry. Everyone in the body of Christ has a specific place in the world that God has created them for.

You have your own unique set of talents and gifts that make you so necessary to this world. So don't seek the approval of the world when you have the unwavering approval of the one who has already chosen you and will never be uncertain.