Social Ladder, By Leah F.

Social Ladder

By Leah F.

I just came into middle school, and I have to admit it was a bit overwhelming. There were all these different social groups, and I didn't know where to start. There were the popular people, the middle people, and the people that the guys on the top don't seem to know that they exist. Then, during the year, people try to make it to the top of the "social ladder." People almost faint when a popular person even acknowledges them, but, God does not like these things. He created us equal.

Genesis 1:27 tells us that God made us in his own image. It does not say "But God made some men better than others, and they were greatly blessed." No. We are all created the same.

Mark 10:32 says that the first will be last, and the last first. So, in a way, you are on top of God's "social ladder." While the popular kids lift themselves up, if you humble yourself, then God will lift you up. Proverbs 18:12 also says that humility comes before honor. This means that before you can be lifted up by God, you have to repent and humble yourself. James 4:10 also says that if you humble yourself, God will lift you up. So, looking at all these verses, God will greatly bless you if you humble yourself.

What does humbling yourself mean? To humble yourself is to put others first, and have yourself be last. That might be talking a smaller scoop of ice-cream, or letting the little kid in front of you. Anything that puts other "ahead" is a way of humbling. In small terms, be the opposite of those you give themselves the best.

A lot of verses talk about about a haughty heart, but Psalm 101:5 specifically says that someone who is haughty and arrogant, God will not tolerate. So instead of trying to get to the top, I recommend staying at the bottom. But in order to have the best favor in God's eyes, you need to humble yourself, and repent for your sin. When you repent, you have to ask God for forgiveness for what you have done. After you repent, God will always forgive you, and will in a way "wipe your slate clean."