“It takes nothing to join the crowd. It takes everything to stand alone.” – Hans Hansen

Introduction

There are some things that we believe in and want to fight for but it may not be favourable with the majority of people. Therefore you end up joining the crowd on something you know you do not believe in. While it would be great to have the crowd on your side, however, if you believe in something, you should not fall to peer pressure and agree with the crowd.

I have made up my mind that I will stand for something even if it means standing alone. I encourage you today to do likewise. Don’t be a people’s pleaser. Be a leader and stand above the crowd.

It takes nothing to join the crowd

I agree it takes nothing to join the crowd. In fact, it can be very easy to join the crow. However, you must be very careful about this as you may think because the crowd say so, it then it must be true. Such belief can easily lead you astray.

Some of you know you should not join the crowd, but you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, so you join the crowd. Some of you also do not take the time to think things clearly and so you join the crowd. Some of you want to fit in and so you join the crowd even though you may feel uncomfortable.

Before joining or saying anything, I try to research and gather as much information about the subject. Too many times the crowd says something and because it sounds good, we join the crowd. You must learn to think independently. There are some people that have an agenda to convince you to join them and then when you join them, you feel obligated and loyal to agree with everything they say.

The only crowd I will join is a crowd of people that believes and follows the word of God because the word of God does not change. Of course, there are some people that have their own interpretation and justifying some of the things they do which are clearly contrary to the word of God. Don’t join this crowd of people. In fact, that is why the world is in chaos today because some of us are joining the crowd who don’t stand for the true word of God.

It takes everything to stand alone                   

I don’t think anyone wants to stand alone but sometimes you have to stand alone. It means standing up for what you believe in and not compromising your beliefs. In some cases, it literally means being lonely. It is ok if you feel lonely especially if you know you are standing up for the truth. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in a prison cell because he stood up against apartheid in South Africa. I believe he was lonely being away from his family.

It takes courage and boldness to stand alone. Some people are timid and so they hide behind their timidness and join the crowd.

It takes enduring criticism to stand alone. You may face a lot of criticism because you are saying something that is contrary to the crowd. On the other hand, you may not get any criticism at all. Some people may remain quiet and don’t support you.

When you stand alone, you may get a lot of labels such as a label of being different. It is ok if you are different.

Conclusion

There are so many issues that people need to take a stand on but we are afraid and so we join the crowd. In the Turks and Caicos, many issues are politicized and so many people agree or disagree with something simply because their political party agree or disagree. I know there are some things that are bothering you, but you are afraid to do or say something.

Personally, I feel like I am standing alone sometimes with my platform. However, I know my purpose and I will not allow the opinions or lack of opinions of the crowd to be an obstacle.  I encourage you today to stand for something even if it means standing alone.