Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Because we are human beings and humans are social creatures, we constantly crave to belong to whatever is happening in our community or worldview. Movements are like tidal waves that blow us in their trajectory, tugging on our emotions, and affecting our thought processes and our lives.
Although there is a higher risk of being swept away by these tidal waves, we are usually pulled in by the excitement and the urge to belong to something bigger than ourselves. A lot of the time on the surface these waves can align with our values, identity or sense of purpose, although I must point out that this can only be so on the surface.
The fear of missing out
As much as it is important to belong to a family, set, group, community, tribe, or team, it is also important to analyse and think before we step into the water, as it might be deeper than we thought. By waters and waves, I am referring to social groups, movements, protests, widespread agendas, ways of thinking and the list goes on. The idea of not getting involved can leave us dealing with the fear of missing out (FOMO) or becoming the odd one out.
This initial way of thinking can start to cloud our judgement, making us more susceptible to social pressures. As much as social pressures are hard to ignore, the risks of jumping into the deep end without enough thought can be just as damaging. Once we jump in; there is a risk of getting swept away. Swimming back to where we jumped in can be difficult or even impossible. There is also the risk of us drowning, as it can tire us out if the waves become tidal and too strong for us to handle.
Staying afloat, breathing and controlling our panic becomes a constant when the wave takes control. Some waves completely take over some people, leading to destructive behaviour, and warping our point of view because we have been pulled under and can no longer see above the surface. Often there are news articles of vulnerable and rational people ending up in cults, where shocking practices take place leading to the question of “how did these people get there in the first place?”
Sober the mind
To address these risks, it is important to analyse before associating ourselves or getting involved.
A sober mind always works better than an emotional or frivolous one. Most waves can be fads that are usually recycled from the past using resources that are available to us within our generation. Although they come and go, they can have generational influences.
The need to find our place in the world, and the drive to find a purpose and a direction will always be part of human nature. Like fish to water, these waves appeal to our nature and passions, but not all waters are healthy. Conforming to a popular way of thinking is not always the best way to live, and the majority can miss the mark on their purpose.
