We've been taught that the worth of a soul is great in the sight of God. With the advent of the Internet and web technology, it seems that many singles have forgotten what this phrase actually means -- confusing self-worth with popularity.

While I am a huge proponent of technology, and using socialized networks to connect, there is so much more to self-image than an online profile. And, focusing one's efforts strictly on obtaining the largest contact network can be detrimental.

I was at a party last week, and overheard a conversation between two 20-something women discuss the magnitude of their friends list on a social network.



With a stroke of vanity, the redhead expressed her confidence to her friend by saying, "I just received my 4,000th friend this morning."

Her friend's rebuttal came back with a hint of arrogance. "Well, I still think I'm going to get to 10,000 before you."

"Na-ah, it only took me a week to get 1,500 friends."

Listening to a conversation like that, why wouldn't I interject? "Ladies. No need to argue a moot point." ...and then added a little jest, "May the best girl win."

"Red" came back at me with, "Don't you mean, the most popular girl?" She then glanced at her friend with a look that said "you're going to lose."

I was beside myself: did that conversation just take place?

Since when did the worth of a soul become justified by online popularity? It's a shame that many of us have forgotten that there is so much more to ourselves than an electronic reflection.

By letting popularity govern self-worth, we demean the value God has placed upon each of us.

If we truly believe that we are children of the Most High, shouldn't we consider that our best compliment?

I received an e-mail the other day from a friend. In it, she wrote a line that put all of this into perspective.

"God doesn't need us to be famous, just faithful."