Being accepted by society

The human population

There are many people in the world with a wide range of different characteristics and points of view. It’s only natural, therefore, that they would have different skills and perceived needs. 

I referred to “perceived” needs for a reason. We don’t really need a lot in life and there are many things that we want but don’t really need. In fact, the more we have the more we want. Gaining more worldly things will not bring satisfaction. We are always looking for something more. It is Christianity that provides the answer to that constant quest for more.

Being noticed by others

Do you wish to gain recognition and to stand out from the rest? Maybe you want others to see you as talented successful or smart. There are plenty of reasons for wanting to stand out from the crowd. Think about your own situation. How do you want others to see you? Do you want them to recognise your abilities and achievements?

Now, if you are like most people, you would have decided that you want other people to give you recognition. That would make you feel respected and would stroke your ego. Having other people admire you does make you feel good. It hasn’t happened to me very often but it does give the ego a boost.

You are, however, focussed on yourself if you have a need to boost your ego. It means you will be less focussed on the well-being of others.

Our need for control

Our need for control illustrates our belief in ourselves rather than God. We focus on things from a human rather than a spiritual aspect. After all we feel closer to our human self rather than our spiritual self. But remember that God lives within us all and it is possible for us to develop in a more spiritually appropriate manner.

Although we are all capable of being great achievers it’s not what’s important. Naturally, gaining knowledge, skills and wealth are important to most of us. But what’s really important is what we do with those things. When others admire your achievements your ego gets a boost. But when others admire what you do your spirituality gets a boost. It improves your sense of morality and humanity.

God is fully aware of how you feel and what you do. What’s important is how you feel ‘in the heart’. Your heartfelt love for God, and for others, affects your actions.

Unfortunately there are many problems in the world and very large numbers of people do not trust in God. They trust their own judgement. But this is clouded by self-interest and is often critical of others.

You may find that the recommendation that you trust in God is at conflict with your belief in yourself. That’s an ego thing. You believe that you are the one to address your own issues. The problem is that your ego leads you to be selfish so in self-interest you reject God or deny his existence. Yet deep down inside you know the truth.

How can I be relevant? 

We all wish to be seen as relevant and to be valued by society. None of us wish to be out of touch, as there is comfort in conformity and acceptance by others. This need for relevance is evident in herd mentality. We are reluctant to go along the road less travelled, to be different to others, as this is more likely to lead to rejection by the majority. 

Clothes manufacturers seem to understand this aspect of human psychology. They ensure that fashion trends go in cycles. Then, by wearing the latest fashion we are more relevant and ‘with it’. Others are then more likely to accept us. After all, they see us as being like them.

So our desire to stand out from the crowd and our need to be relevant or in conformity are at conflict with one another. That makes life difficult. On the one hand we want to be seen as better than others but on the other hand we don’t want people to reject us for being different.

We are all equal in the eyes of God. As stated in the bible  (Romans 2:11) – “For God shows no partiality”.

Can I be accepted yet still stand out from others?

We are more likely to gain acceptance if we lose our self-focus. That is, if we are focussed only on the well being of others. If we do this we can be an example to others and adhere to the values of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

We are not being relevant by adjusting God’s word and following what is popular. We are only being relevant if we hold onto and follow God’s word. Adjusting God’s word to suit our own circumstances is a claim that we know better than the creator of all things.

What makes me valued?

If you believe in Jesus Christ and strive to follow his teaching you will receive the Holy Spirit. It is something that you should seek to receive, as it will meet your needs in all respects. It will demonstrate that you are seeking to live in the way that God intended.