In grade school, I was never one of the popular girls.
I wanted to be popular, but…. Then one day in eighth grade, Mom let me wear a white blouse. She wouldn’t let me wear them regularly since they got dirty too easily. On that particular day, though, wearing that white blouse was a real treat. It turned out to be a bigger treat than I expected when I was approached by one of the popular girls who said I could be one of them if I wore a white blouse more often.
The world is enticing. We all want to be liked, to fit in, and to be normal—to feel like we belong. Often the world’s message is similar to my grade school experience. Judgments are based on superficial attributes. Who we are in the world’s eyes is based on how we look, who our friends are, and how we act or perform.
But the belonging the world offers is not a belonging that leads to life. When we seek to fulfill our sense of belonging through the ways of the world, we are often left feeling used, cast off, manipulated, or worse—physically, mentally, and emotionally abused and broken.
Jesus sought the abused, broken, and castoffs. He offers deep fulfillment based on who we are, not what we do. Perhaps the best news is that our Heavenly Father—the One who loves us unconditionally and created us in His image, defines who we are. He longs to redeem the broken parts of our lives, to invite us to participate in His deeply fulfilling work, and to see ourselves as He see us: cherished sons and daughters in whom He takes great delight.
I lasted with the popular girls for about a week. Then I began to see how superficial and shallow their relationships were. I had to apologize to my real friends for deserting them in an effort to be popular. They accepted my apology, and we picked up our meaningful friendships where we left off.
Don’t let the world’s attempts entice you with empty promises and draw you away from the more significant and meaningful relationships and areas of your life.
Get Trina's books at the following links:
Paul’s Letters to the Early Church https://www.amazon.com/dp/1941103421
Trina has a Masters of Arts in Christian Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary and is a passionate Bible teacher and writer. For more than 20 years, she has shared Biblical truths in compelling and memorable ways as a Bible study leader and a member of the Restorative Prayer Team at her church. Her trip through Turkey—visiting historic sites such as Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Haran and Antioch, as well as two trips to Israel’s holy sites, bring reality to Trina’s teaching and writing. Additionally, Trina loves to watch birds, cook, travel, work in her garden, and knit. You can follow Trina on:
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Website: trinabressermatous.com
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