Going Against The Status Quo

Going against the Status Quo

To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper. Proverbs 19:8

Popular culture sends us a lot of messages about value and worth. In magazines, music, television shows, movies, sports, and any other form of entertainment, we are continually told that the respect we receive depends on the status we have—and that status is defined by wealth, style, or popular opinion. We not only begin to evaluate ourselves that way, we evaluate others that way too. If they don’t work a certain kind of job, earn a certain level of income, dress a certain way, or have a lifestyle we envy, they probably aren’t successful. And if they aren’t successful, they aren’t significant or worthy of our attention.

Real significance isn’t defined by popular culture. In fact, culture often magnifies less significant things and minimizes truly significant things. If we listen to trends and opinions, we will be driven to seek significance in jobs that provide the status we want, income that provides the possessions we want, and relationships that provide the security and influence we want. And we can spend our entire lives going down that path, trying to find true significance in things that can never give it to us. We will always be running but never arriving.

The Bible tells us what true significance is, and it isn’t found in what we have, in the status we attain, or even in what we accomplish. It’s found in knowing God, living faithfully for Him, loving Him and others, and doing whatever He has called us to do—even if it doesn’t impress anyone else. It’s about our identity in Him, not our achievements and possessions. We have worth not because of what we do and have but because we are His children and He chooses to love us. Our worth doesn’t depend on us; it’s based on how He values us. And He values us simply because He made us and we belong to Him.

Learn to see yourself as being valuable for who you are, and learn to see others that way too. Until you see people the way God sees them—uniquely created with special gifts and abilities that the world may not recognize—you will sell them short. You need to have His eyes, recognize true worth, and stop striving after unworthy goals.

Uncommon Key > Your mission is shaped by your values, and if your values are misplaced, you’ll miss your true mission. Understand that status is fleeting and artificial; pursue what’s truly worthwhile.