Jesus Course

One of those things that I’m always trying to get across to my children is that being popular doesn’t make you right.

There certainly seems to be an assumption around that if you are the most popular person then somehow that automatically means that you are right. Perhaps this is one of those situations where the press has encouraged us to think this way.

I have always found this to be a worrying trend. It means that right or wrong is decided by a general consensus of popularity. It must be right if it feels good (regardless of the consequences for the rest of humanity) seems to be the order of the day.

Is this really a good way to decide what is right and what is wrong? My good feelings might result in unhappiness for another. My overfilled stomach might be taking food from a starving mouth. My drunken and destructive revelries might be putting someone out of business or breaking a good relationship.

Popularity is a very poor way to make choices.

I don’t think Jesus is as popular today in the U.K. as perhaps he once was. This doesn’t make him wrong it just makes him less popular. Perhaps Jesus’ popularity depends too much on how people perceive his followers. Perhaps how people perceive his followers depends too much on the popular press and popular stars and pop singers and popular comedians?

So what about you? Do you decide what is right or wrong based on popular opinion? Do you just follow the crowd and do what they do? Or perhaps you want to think for yourself and make your own choices.

Whatever you decide make sure you always remember that being popular doesn’t make you right.

Thoughts discipleship, Jesus, jesus christ, popularity

I like walking. Generally this involves walking on Dartmoor but I do sometimes get to visit other places for a walk as well. Unfortunately I don’t live on the edge of Dartmoor as so I have to drive for an hour and a bit to get there. It’s worth it for the reward even though it can be a little tedious early in the morning when you just want to start the walk.

So often we have to go on tedious journeys before we get to what we really want to do. However I think perhaps the people who went on Pilgrimage in the middle ages (and before) could teach us a thing or two. When you have to walk somewhere that is several miles away it takes quite a while. The forced slowness of the journey forces you to take time to think – what else is there to do if you are on a slow journey on your own?

Of course for many Pilgrims there was a time spent with others on the same journey but somehow talking with strangers about your life can also be a good way to think.

Even Jesus had to take his time getting around the Holy Land. It isn’t a big country but on foot there is still plenty of time for reflection. When I read in John’s gospel about how there are many other things that Jesus said and did not written down I sometimes think perhaps John was remembering the times he had spent walking along the road talking with Jesus.

If you have to make a decision then why not take a walk? Sometimes the journey is as important as the destination.

Thoughts Jesus, jesus christ, walking