An Overwhelming Desire To Follow

Once you were wandering like lost sheep. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25

Jesus often referred to people as sheep because we humans have a tendency to follow. “The crowd” has a very powerful effect on us, and popular opinion is far too effective in shaping our thoughts and behavior. We prefer consensus to conviction, tolerance to truth. We can even be persuaded to be critical of some of the most impressive things on earth.

Consider how people responded when a magnificent 6,942-carat diamond was put on display in Cartier’s Fifth Avenue store in New York City. Cartier had purchased the flawless gem for a record $$105 million at an auction. He decided to put the diamond on display so people could file through the jewelry salon to get a glimpse of it in person.

The responses of some people were nothing short of incredible.

A short, bald man peered condescendingly at the big diamond in the small glass case and told his wife, “I see a flaw there, but I wouldn’t want to say anything.”

“It isn’t really that beautiful,” concluded a well-dressed lady, “but I wouldn’t mind having it.”

“It’s too large,” said one woman in rhinestone-studded glasses.

“I think it’s vulgar, but I just had to see it,” commented another woman.

Said Joe Whitehead, a guard at the store, “I’ve heard more sour grapes in the last two days than in my whole life.”^a

How do you tend to look at and think about life? Do you tend to “follow the crowd,” or do you hold to your own convictions and beliefs?

Jesus, help me to hold to my own convictions and beliefs, no matter what “the crowd” wants me to believe.