https://odb.org/2024/06/05/a-not-so-brief-history-of-like
I think wanting to be liked by others is something ingrained in us (some say, hardwired). Thus, the creator of likes in social media is a genius taking advantage of an inherent desire in humans, although Justin Rosenstein regrets the ensuing social media addiction by many. Fortunately, God first loved us and continues to love us.
In Jeremiah 1:5, God told Jeremiah that before He formed him in the womb, He knew him, before he was born, He set him apart and appointed him as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah answered that alas, he doesn’t know how to speak as he is too young. God then told him not to say he is too young. He must just go to everyone He sends him to and say whatever He commands him. Do not be afraid for I am with you and will rescue you, says the LORD.
Taking Jeremiah as an example, we are likewise liked and loved by God even before we were formed in our mother’s womb. Like Jeremiah, God had already prepared and chosen us for His plans and purposes for our lives before, even before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4).
As we live our lives and traverse the world that we were born into in terms of place, family, community, and era of time, we often struggle between pleasing man or God as a child of God. We cannot don’t care what people think of us as we are hardwired to want others to like us. But if we face the crossroad of choosing between pleasing God or man, I pray that we will all be wise enough to choose the former. Know that God likes and loves us. Always choose to please God as He holds our destiny in the next place. In the world, it is suicidal and futile to fight your own boss as he or she holds the keys to your future in the company. Likewise, it is clearly and simply foolish to rebel against God in our lives, especially when God genuinely likes, loves, and cares for us. In Jeremiah 29:11, speaking to the Israelites, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future”.
God’s Word for us today is that He likes and loves us, and like Jeremiah, He has set us apart before the foundations of the world to be holy and acceptable before Him.
Ronnie's Thoughts 