"Being popular can become narcotic. We can come to crave it and to need the frequent 'fixes' brought by the world's praise and caresses of recognition. A turned head bows much less easily. Popularity is dangerous especially because it focuses us on ourselves rather than keeping us attentive to the needs of others. We become preoccupied with self and with being noticed, letting those in real need pass by us...
To like being liked for its own sake is unhealthy. Similarly, overmuch concern with public image can cause us to rearrange priorities rather than striving to have Jesus' image in our countenance...
The narrow and straight way that leads to salvation, alas, is the path less traveled by. Hence, there is no way we can both move with the herd and also move toward Jesus. Nevertheless, there are some who try to serve the Lord without offending the devil...Firm followers of Jesus, therefore, will not be mere chameleons--adapting their colors to match the ever-chancing circumstances by simply blending in."
-Neal A. Maxwell
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