God's Prophetic People - A People of Passion, Purpose And Power

God's Prophetic People

Before I became a Christian, I was incredibly competitive. Growing up in Canada, hockey was a huge part of my life. I played on a team that represented my hometown, and our goal was simple: win, win, win. A player's worth was determined by how many goals they scored, and the team's success was measured by how often we won. Isn’t that the same mentality many people still follow today, watching games week after week? This competitive spirit is deeply ingrained in our society. If you win, you’re valuable. If you lose, you’re considered a "nobody" — a "loser." From childhood on, competition is built into nearly every aspect of our lives. It’s as if you must always come in first or be the best. This mindset has become a cultural norm, and unfortunately, it’s growing stronger, like a cancer slowly spreading through our society. The following will explore how this unhealthy obsession with winning is affecting us. a) Sports – It’s all about who can run the fastest, score the most points, or make the winning shot. Whether it's goals, touchdowns, or baskets, it's the constant race to be the best. b) Education – It’s about who aced the test, who has the highest GPA, or who got accepted into the top universities. The pressure to perform academically has become overwhelming, especially in places like Japan, where the intense focus on achievement has taken a toll on students’ mental health. 8 This should never be the norm! c) Relationships – It’s about who’s dating the most attractive person or who’s part of the "in crowd" or the "popular" group. Social status often seems tied to who you’re seen with. d) Fashion – It’s about who has the best hair, who’s wearing the latest trends, and who can afford the most expensive, stylish outfits.

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A People of Passion, Purpose, and Power / © Brian Daehn