Notice: to those who comment on my blog, I will attempt to comment in return but if your comments are set to embedded, not popup, I will not be able to do so. Please reset your Settings, Comments from embedded to popup. This is a problem many are having and they are also not able to comment. Check your blog spam folder to see if you are missing those who manage to comment. That is where I found a few comments, about 6, that google deemed as being spam. Google did some "helpful" reprogramming and messed things up royally again. Thank you for visiting and commenting.
I have often observed that, as the quote above states, popularity and the snares it brings are not a benefit but a trap. The need to be recognized is part of our nature for most of us. But the trap is that it makes us feel safe and empowered. The empowerment can easily become a snare that the Jewish religious leaders succumbed to in Jesus' day. Popularity does not hold any guarantees that you will be safe from your mistakes or even revered for your successes. Jesus performed many miracles in His time on earth. His life was not spared even though He gave proof of His being the messiah. He was crucified anyway. The heart of man is not devoted to the long term but to the here and now. Being popular is only good for this life not the next. It is one thing to be famous and have kudos thrown your way and to be a servant and be barely noticed. The servant takes solace in a job well done with an occasional appreciative "well done." Those who demand to be noticed are usually the same ones who desire popularity and think they are always right. Though you are popular it does not mean you are above everyone else. It is a sign that you love your life and it can cost you your life. (Matthew 10:39, 16:25-26, Mark 8:35-36, Luke 9:24-25, Luke 17:33, John 12:25)
This image is another downloaded image from "Supercoloring.com". They have some very nice images to color that anyone can have fun with. This image did not photograph well due to the lighting.