Often, we do not even consider possibly missing out because we want to look good for our friends. We want to be a part of their stories, we want to make an appearance on the popular Instagram posts, or maybe it’s the admiration of the people in the ‘in-group’ that we long for. Sometimes we have such a huge desire to be seen and not to be left out that we feel we must be at every event and do whatever we have to in order to get noticed.
The Bible tells a story of two people in a garden that God made (You can read the story in Genesis 3). Adam and Eve led a quiet life in the garden when a snake told them that they were missing out on so much because they did not eat the fruit that God forbade them to eat. It’s this fear that ultimately leads Adam and Eve to turn their backs against God, and so, they truly missed out the life that God had in mind.
To be part of a group and to belong are definitely not bad things to want. But the fear of missing out points out something we do not always notice. It is our hope to be accepted. But many times we do not realize that acceptance has already taken place through Jesus. God looked at the world and wanted something better – something that would bring Him close to humanity. Romans 12:1-2 gives us a picture of a life that understands that kind of acceptance:
(1) “So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship. (2) Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.”
Being a living sacrifice means living your life in such a way that you understand how much God loves you and how you are accepted without having to look like others. It’s a life that says, “My life I live to get to know God better – and so I’m never missing out if I can choose God.” You do not have to fear that you will miss out because you have already been accepted. If we fear to miss out, we actually miss out on a bigger story.
