What is it about the human race that makes us put so much weight in concerns that, in comparison to the big picture, don't really matter? What makes us fix our attention on comparatively lesser matters?
For example, when mass atrocities were being committed by the Syrian government against their own people, Facebook was bursting with live footage of Miley Cyrus' VMA performance.
I'm realizing, unfortunately, that I am not immune to this.
In light of huge spiritual strides and faith-exploding growth, i fixate on whether or not I'll gain weight on the Race. Not whether or not i'll grow into the woman God wants me to be or come to look more like Him.
I worry about whether or not my teammates like me, instead of intentionally pursuing them and serving them well, whether they appreciate it or not.
It all comes down to our priorities, which are defined by our identity. If I identify as a justice-seeking world citizen, rather than a trend-following, pop culture wiz, I will focus on world events rather than what Selena Gomez wore to the Oscars. If I identify as a daughter of the Most High rather than a girl whose worth is measured in dress size and portion control, I will desire spiritual growth over a shrinking waist. If I identify as a friend of Christ rather than a leader whose worth is determined by a popularity rating, I will desire my team's spiritual growth over their affection.
This truth is exhibited, albeit in a distorted manner, by the devout Muslim women here in Malaysia. In it's purest form, a Muslim woman wears a scarf to cover her hair because she believes that only her husband should witness her beauty. She does not care if she is the only person wearing a scarf in a crowd of people. Her identity as a wife, trumps her identity as an object of cultural praise and attention. Her worth is not found in whether the general public thinks she is beautiful, but whether her husband does.
Because if a woman truly plans on being married to only one man for the rest of her life, why would the opinion of others even matter? If she lives her life cared for, supported by and loved by one man, who cares what the rest of the world thinks of her? If her identity is firmly grounded in her status as a wife, the opinions of others will never shake that.
And if a fallen man gives these good gifts to his wife, how much more will our Heavenly Bridegroom care for, support and love us? (Matthew 7:11)
What would the world look like if we, like the Muslim women to their husbands, lived with our identity firmly rooted in the fact that we are God's? The world would be full of people with such knowledge of their self-worth that nothing anyone can say or do, no amount of success or failures, no number on a scale, could shake them.
Jealousy, offense, insecurity, comparison and a host of other relationship-shattering emotions and consequences would not exist.
People would love selflessly, give generously and share vulnerably.
I would like to live there.
