Popularity drives us.  Favorite child, teacher’s pet (whatever that meant), high school clicks, popular majority of votes.  It’s one of the prides of life, living for the approval of others, and thinking it’s a forever thing.

Jesus put it this way, in the context of eternity.  “There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them.  Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors!  Your task is to be true, not popular.”

Father, thank You for being Father, Your arms of justice and righteousness surrounding us with love — both hard and soft, all leading to our maturity, complete and holy.  Thank You for personifying Your Truths through Your Son.  Focus our hearts in Your direction unto life as You purposed, exemplifying the way, truth, and life, sharing You with others, step by lighted step, pleasing You.

1 John 2:16, Luke 6:26, Psalm 89:14, 2 Corinthians 5:14, 20, Hebrews 12:10, Colossians 1:28, John 14:6, Psalm 139:24, 119:105 MSG