In a Crowd

For many years holidays were spent in a large crowd with family members. No one talked very long with anyone else on a meaningful level and those who dared to think differently from the group were isolated or ignored.

Cliques are the mainstay of a large worldly crowd. People tend to be less appreciative of “free thinkers” when the group is disapproving. Not too many people think for themselves or express themselves openly and honestly while in the group setting.

Over the years I did not find it very uplifting or of value to attend large gatherings. It was a place where everyone was careful to hide their real selves and only say and do what the crowd thought was appropriate, it was without a doubt, “group think” from start to finish.

Not too much of value was said or done at these gatherings for fear of wholesale rejection by those who were easily offended or had a prejudice against someone. When there is prejudice against someone, based on gossip or a two-sentence explanation of something, those who dislike the person will interpret the exchange in a negative way, not because anything negative was said or done but because they don’t like the person who said the words or did the actions.

God showed me that much more meaningful conversations could only occur in one-on-one visits with individuals. People are less likely to follow the crowd’s emotions and responses if they are alone with us. In other words, people tend to be a little more authentic when they are not being manipulated by crowd approval or disapproval.

When small snippets of information are exchanged without explanations there arises misunderstandings leading to assumptions that often are not true. When we are able to have a lengthy conversation with someone we can explain things that easily clear up any negative ideas that cross the mind of the hearer.
Most people are happier in a crowd with levity and superficiality than they are in one-on-one visits. The party mentality causes misunderstandings and pressure on others to become just like the group, individuality and authentic personality expressions are discouraged.

I have been in many public crowd settings, they were always the same. I love people and I love to have meaningful conversations that inform and teach. We can all learn from one another, but only if we are open, honest, and uninhibited by public opinion.
Mankind is predisposed to cliques, excluding those who are not accepted by the “alpha” person in the crowd. Once the main controller of the crowd displays disapproval or approval, the rest of the crowd fall in line. People are not very interested in truth, their only interest in most situations is being accepted by those in the room.

So! What is the answer to this problem of cliques and superficiality? God’s solution is for believers to be authentic, bold, and loving all at the same time. The response of others is not important, if it were important then God would not have told us we will be rejected for His name's sake.

John 15:20-21 “……20 Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. 21But they will treat you like this because of My name since they do not know the One who sent Me.”

When we live for Christ we will not be accepted by the crowd. Even if we say nothing and do nothing they will be uncomfortable because of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us, but they will think what they are sensing is something wrong with us. Often they will make up something we must be doing or saying that is wrong when nothing wrong happened. They are attempting to justify their discomfort by judging us wrongly.

Most people do not think beyond their feelings. Feelings and fantasy take priority over truth and proof in our day. And, most people are more comfortable in a superficial crowd than they are one-on-one when they are faced with possibly exposing their real selves.

Because we know this we have no reason to fear the reactions or abuse from others. We can remain Christ-like no matter what they do and carry on in our joy and peace. Since we do not base our reactions on feelings we can be calm and peaceful all the time, even under persecution.

Hallelujah, it is Christ in us Who gives us this mentality of peace, joy, and strength.

Philippians 4:6-7
"6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."