Popularity

COLETTE ANE HYDE

Some people want to be popular so badly that they even lower their moral standards, believing this will help. Why? Popularity represents being loved and happy. It is natural for everyone to want love and happiness, but does popularity really bring these things?

During his lifetime, Christ Jesus was unpopular with many people, but yet he felt and expressed more love than any other person ever has. Jesus loved God above all else. In return he felt God's Father-Mother love giving him protection and guidance and happiness a human parent or friend could never have been able to offer. He wasn't looking for the world's approval but God's.

Having good friends is fine; but living one's whole life to gain the approval of others is dangerous. In Science and Health Mary Baker Eddy writes, "In a world of sin and sensuality hastening to a greater development of power, it is wise earnestly to consider whether it is the human mind or the divine Mind which is influencing one."^{Science and Health, pp.82,83;}