Oh, the days when we were young (or at least when I was younger.)  Those were the days of youth and wild abandon, the days when I could have a strongly held opinion and didn’t care what anyone else thought.  I could demand the best when all I could afford was K-Mart.  And those were the days when I worried about what everyone else thought of me. 

I know popular when I see it because I was not popular!  Sounds funny or odd but let me explain.  I was not popular in high school ,but I remember who the most popular guy was in my high school class.  His name was Rusty Hill.  Rusty was his nickname.  His full name was David Harris Hill, Jr.  His dad was Dave Hill, the offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs.  Rusty was “mister popularity.”  He was handsome, had great hair, perfect teeth, and killer dimples.  He was also the starting quarterback, point guard, and ran track.  He lettered in three sports all three years of high school.  And he not only dated the head cheerleader, but he also drove a 1972 Corvette.  Rusty was popular then and continued to be even later. 

I remember our 35^th high school reunion.  Rusty made an appearance and was immediately the center of attention.  He still was good looking, still had great hair, a handsome smile, and big dimples.  The guys all wanted to shake his hand to see if he remembered them and the ladies all wanted a hug and a selfie with him.  I cannot confirm this, but it appeared as if Rusty never experienced rejection in his life. In high school no one bullied him, made fun of him, slandered him, insulted him, or showed contempt for him.  It appeared that he had all the advantages of life except longevity – he died a few months before his 51^st birthday.  We wrongfully assume that the beautiful are blessed by life and the rest of us are not.

In his last beatitude, Jesus said that “blessed are you when people revile you.”  In other words, blessed are the people who are scorned, defamed, taunted, or railed against.  The ones who become the unenviable focal point for everyone else’s disdain.  Interesting that all the previous beatitudes were broad and other centric, but this one says “you.”  Jesus directed it at his disciples knowing they would be reviled for following a crucified teacher and healer. 

You see, the beatitudes are about picking a side of the fence to walk on.  You cannot straddle between the world and following Jesus because they are antithetical to each other.  You can either love the world and pursue it or love Jesus and follow him.  Paul says that the place for this begins is in the renewing or transformation of our minds (see Romans 12:1-2.)  You must make up your mind what you want to pursue in life – the vision of the world and the temporal things it has to offer or the vision of following Jesus and the eternal kingdom he offers.  It is a tough choice with no less than eternal consequences.

I invite you to take time and read each of the scriptures above followed by reflection on the questions below.  Assess where your life is aligned and how you are pursuing what is true and eternal.  Lastly, I pray that God bless the reading of God’s Word and the meditations of your heart.

Questions to Consider this week:

• Monday:  Were you popular as a teenager or not?
• Tuesday:  How did the peers of your youth treat unpopular kids?
• Wednesday:  Who in our world and culture is reviled and shunned?  Why?
• Thursday:  Do you see yourself being able to handle being reviled by the world?  Why or why not?
• Friday:  What is the purpose of your being a follower of Jesus Christ?
• Saturday:  What are you willing to risk and endure for being a follower of Jesus?  Being reviled?

Actions for the Week:

• Head:  Recall which side of the “popularity” fence you walked on and still walk today.
• Heart:  Test the strength of your heart and commitment to truly walk with Jesus.
• Hand:  Allow the Holy Spirit to transform whatever part of you resists following Jesus.