Does anybody hear her?

So I was reading this book I got a while ago and never finished and came across this very interesting excerpt. The book is called Lifestories by Mark Hall (lead singer and songwriter for Casting Crowns). I strongly recommend you read it if you haven't already. The book tells the story behind some of their songs which is remarkable because every single one has a prominent meaning. Which is one of the reasons I love Casting Crowns so much because they still mean something. So many bands just write and don't think.
Here's the excerpt from the chapter on their song "Does anybody hear her?":

"Girls are being told lies about who they are when, really, they're princesses. They're priceless, but they're being told by the world:
You're going to have to sell yourself.You have to present a certain look and act a certain way. These people over here expect you to hold this look and lifestyle a priority, but that group over there says you must do something different to get what you want. And if you can't pull it off, and keep everyone happy, you don't belong. You'll be rejected, you won't be happy, and you'll be a nobody.

Girls constantly have to sell themselves to everyone, or at least they're made to feel they must, and the ultimate fallout is usually painful. Their need for approval and for someone to tell them they are OK is sometimes worth more to them than their self-respect."

Amazing huh? Oh and guys, that was a MAN saying that stuff. Sometimes I hear stories of what girls have done (not gossip, although we're all guilty of that) and I wonder "what was going through their heads?" I try to think back before I knew Jesus as my savior. Before God 'completed' me (Mark Hall also speculates on 'completion" if you might say in this chapter also) and how much I let the world's viewpoint weigh on my choices. I still, unfortunately, let the world sway my choices, and everytime I do, it's never good. People look so much for approval and completion from everyone else they forget who they truly are. Mark Hall put this into a billiant perspective, and I read that excerpt over and over again. IT'S SO TRUE, IT'S CRAZY! haha

He goes on to say this:

"We believers tend to maintain at least two "bad" lists. I'm an expert at it. If someone does something on one bad list, we're willing to restore her, love on her, pray for her, circle around her, and escort her back into the fold. But what if she does something on the other bad list? Then everybody needs to just back away and try not to get anything on them.
I often remind myself: If I imagine the person with the worst reputation ever, I'm only two or three bad decisions away from being that person, Those of us who keep lists should examine our hearts, our pasts, and our habits. May Christ's love overwhelm all of our preconceived notions."

It's so frustrating to see other believers like myself judge someone like Mark Hall illustrated. Granted, I'm guilty of it also, no one is perfect. I can't stand seeing believers like myself seperate themselves from non-believers like he said "to not get anything on them." If you seperate yourself from the people that need help the most, who is going to be there?? Making a cliche of believers helps no one, not even yourselves. When you close yourself off to the world, you're closing yourself off from being a witness for God. Not even closing yourself off to non-believers, but rather people who make mistakes that to you, shouldn't be made. WE'RE HUMAN. Don't confuse yourself and think that just because we have accepted Jesus as our savior means that we are above everyone else. We are undeserving of being saved; we are sinners. But God is gracious enough to offer salvation. Be humble, don't hold yourself on a pedestal.

Anyways, I wanted to share these excerpts with everyone because they we're so astounding to me. The fact that he was so blunt and straightforward. Most people are afraid to say these types of things because they may offend someone. If you haven't read Lifestories before, you really should! =)

Much love & sunshine,
Caila Lanell