Popularity

[Hitokiri]

I've talked to alot of teenagers about populairty and who hold the "popular kids" in anger and even hatred and I admit, I did so myself and at times, I still do. Many think of it as stupid and a curse. However...I think popularity is a gift from God. Though a gift that is misuserd and abused by many. I myself can't talk in front of strangers more or less joke with them and befriend them. However, much with society, it takes that gift of socialism and twists it around.

However, if used for God's purposes...it can start a revival. Starting my Sophmore year, there was 5 Christian guys in my grade who I knew that were very popular and decided by the end of thier senior year, they would get almost the entire high school population in church. One was a kid who used to go to my church but later on went to help establish a new church which will be explained later as well as my cousin.

The process was slow but by junior year, around 25 popular kids and some of the "other" student body became Christians because of them and thier example. Some kids who I knew drank and partied changed thier lives around. By the end of our Senior year, a church was founded (by the guy I mentioned earlier) and this group for high schoolers and that age limit (as well as families). During Homecoming, thier were 9 Christians from this church and others on the Party and there was around 14 students total on it. Pretty soon, more than a hundred kids became Christians, attended this church and others, and they continu this legacy.

No longer in the halls was talk about how great a party it was last night and how the person got smashed or how many guys this girl had sex but about God, the Bible, and sometimes...people would be singing worship songs. Thier were numerous prayer circles in the morning. Instead of a night club, a party, or wherever they went being the coolest hang out...it was at church worshipping and praising God.

I don't fully agree with the "popular" lifestyle and everything with it but I do feel for them and feel sorry that thier life is messed up. But like I said...I think popularity is a gift from God and when used for his purpose, it can have everlasting effects. Now there are around 160 known Christians there, a intense bible study held in the library with around 40 members, and a large portion of the popular kids are in church praising God instead of getting in troulbe. All thanks to 5 Christian guys who had this gift from God and decided to use it not for themselves but for God.

I just felt like sharing that ^_^

[Kaori]

That's an encouraging story; thanks for sharing it with us. I had never thought of popularity as being a gift from God before--but then, I'm not the popular type, either.

[White Raven]

That is one awesome story kid.

[Cognitive Gear]

Wow... I never thought of popularity as a gift... that's a great story. Although, I was never the popular one (I'm pretty shy). It's great to see peer pressure work for something positive, for once.

[Aka-chan]

That's awesome how God used that and how they chose to act for Him even in a position that is so often self-centered. Really cool story!

[Aka-chan]

*takes a chainsaw to the double post*

[Heart of Sword]

I was popular in elementary school...no let's call that hellementary school... O_O

But it was just because I was very loyal about protecting my friends (still am). And I would flip out and cause a big ruckus when someone would be drowning bugs (still will). But most people didn't like that, and I was "ambushed" a few times (I never actually got hurt.) So is that more like notorious...? Oh, well, I was certainly notorious in 1st grade...I bit someone. Hard.

[Doubleshadow]

That's wonderful, Hitokiri.

[Fsiphskilm]

Super awsom

[CreatureArt]

Thank you so much for sharing that story, Hitokiri. It really shed new light on how popularity can be used. What awesome guys.

I feel sorry for popular kids too. At my school, (probably similar to a lot of other schools?) the popular kids have such a hard time. There's always people who want to be popular and in the 'in' crowd.. but is it worth it?

From what I've seen as an observer, quite a few girls, although in a large popular group, feel that they have no friends. I dont blame them. THe amount of gossip and double-crossing I've witnessed... it's not nice.

I wonder how that got to be popular. Why does a situation like that, where people are gossiping and lying and all sorts, become so desired by a lot of the school population.

It's awesome that those guys changed it around, and put it back how it should be - good people influencing others to find Christ.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I was scum (outcasts basically) at school, along with my friends. I didn't want to be popular looking at what they did and how they treated there 'friends.'
Funny how at a Christian school you can be teased and bullied so much you take several days off school to escape. Funny how your friends don't have the guts to stick up for you when you need them most. Funny how you can be called a little s@#t by popular people for just existing. Well I think popularity sucks. It may work for some people and I do find that an encouraging story but you must have gone to an amazing school.

Perhaps primary school was too good to be true, because when I entered college (a Christian college nonetheless) for the most part it was hell on earth.

[ShiroiHikari]

From what I've seen as an observer, quite a few girls, although in a large popular group, feel that they have no friends. I dont blame them. THe amount of gossip and double-crossing I've witnessed... it's not nice.

yeah, for many years I wanted to be popular, and then I got into highschool and realized that these people treat each other and other "lower class" people terribly. I realized I didn't need that kind of drama and started to like being unpopular. XD

[Hitokiri]

I do find that an encouraging story but you must have gone to an amazing school.

...the school is far from amazing. ure, they alot kids did go to church but I admit, some didn't live the Christian faith.

It is still plagued by drugs, alcohol, the occult. Several teachers and the adminstration has tried to stop this "religious nonsense" from what they said but the principle, thought not a Christian, understood the Christians and continued to allow them to use the libary for Bible Study after school and prayer circles before.

Harrasment however is very strict. I got suspended for two days when I was a junior for "picking" on my second cousin whom was a freshmen. Picking on as putting him in a headlock.

So it's far from amazing but even a small group of people, with God can make a huge difference.

[Cap'n Nick]

Yes! They must not use their powers for evil!

When considering things like this it's important to note the difference between "extremely personable" and "waging a cutthroat battle for public appreciation." Both of these can be described as "popular" but they are obviously very different.

[agasfas]

Intresting story. Though I never understood why people view things done by a "popular" person higher then an average joe, even if they have done the same thing. People could see popularity as a gift from God, but I would disagree. I'm going to hold my tounge on that issue..

Guess it irritates me when I see people think so highly of popular people when they do something for good, when the average joe would never get the any recognition for the same act or better. Not that we should only give do things to get praise or recognition, but popular people are always lifted and put on a pedestal. Seems kind of wrong to me.

Anways, at my highschool about 60% plus of the student based smoked pot, drank and all that other stuff. I'm just glad I had more sense then to do that.

*shrugs* Oh well, no need to pay any heed to my thoughts. Just a bit of frustration on my part...why so many people think popular people are more worthy of praise... especially for something they should have been doing in the first place.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

yup. Once there was a story of one high school fotoball player bring the entire football team into a youth group

the whole football team was saved ^_^

[Jeikobu]

What a neat story, if only this stuff happened more often. It's great when people use their lives for God like that. It's an example to follow. ^^

[ssj2gohan61]

Awesome!! i never really was popular in school, i never had a chance to be because i always moved...i guess in HS i was semi popular..a lot of people knew me and i talked to a lot but i was only with a small group of very close friends, and when i played softball for the church i became very popular at church and at school I could careless what people thought if i was a "bible thumper" or anything, im a farely new christian, about 10months now i guess but i had fun being with the church and the worship team, i even got a few friends to come to church with me, some of them stayed too hmm well thats my story lol

[Mr. SmartyPants]

i have 0 friends in school. Well, 0 good friends. I talk to a few people and stuff. But they aren't good friends to me

[Fsiphskilm]

same thing here

[Kireihana]

That's super cool. At my school the majority of the population is Christian also, but I think that's just how it is where I live

I've never had a grudge against popular kids. I guess it's because I went to a private school for most of my life, and it was so small that we were all a group and no one was more "popular" than anyone else. I have friends now who are popular and didn't even try to be.

What really annoys me are the people who have grudges against "preps". I've never really met a prep who hates skaters, goths, etc. but all of them seem to loathe preps. I'm glad I'm just neutral, lol.

[Hitokiri]

I feel lessed that I have at least 6 friends that I consider better than best friends. Almost on the same relationship level as family. Then I have about 8 friends whom I consider best friends.

Than I have a wide assortment of friends that range from preps to skaters to druggies to goths to band geeks to normal kids. I try not to put off into one group.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I have three or four best friends and some friends. Everyone needs friends. And its better to have a few true friends then 50 fake friends!

[Fsiphskilm]

[quote="Kireihana"]What r

[TrigunX89]

Awesome story, Hitokiri. I never thought about it like that before. That gives me a whole new perspective.

[ally-san]

thats true i guess popularity is a gift becuz if ur popular then u are a leader and being a leader is definitely a gift.

[bbboy21]

Thats a great story that is really awsome how popular people who are Christians can make a huge diffrince.

[Hitokiri]

ROFL, where have you been? It's popular now to be a goth, punk skateboarder. So all the preps are doing it. But they're so fake

It's just sad, kind of like Avral Leviegn... Awsome songs, cool personality. 100% fake attitude.

I got this from the comiic strip "Zits"

"The new cool is to be uncool".

[CreatureArt]

REALLY?!
Whoa- then man, I am, like, SOO popular!