WANTED — YELLOW SHOES
What is the first thing you notice as you glance at the photo? My guess it is the foot enclosed in a gorgeous yellow shoe. Your eyes then float upward toward the smile and little mustache or maybe to the open hands directing your attention back to the yellow item. Camera equipment can be seen in the background. What is happening?
Pop on your thinking cap. Make a guess. Could he be advertising for a shoe store? Maybe he is offering to give the viewer his pair of yellow footwear in exchange for a pizza. We do know that his smile is genuine and his hands inviting. Each of us also knows that daily our lives are flooded with requests and ads to indulge in some product.
About how many advertisements are you inundated with daily? Phone calls, Facebook flashes, internet intrusions, radio interruptions — you name it. Our ears transmit umpteen blurbs to bother our peace and quiet and beg us to buy, use, rent, or gift. Recently some anonymous source announced that advertisers bombard us with approximately 2,000,000,007 messages a day, begging us to spend our hard-earned nickels on their latest creation or service. A more realistic accounting admits that probably do receive from 4,000 to 10,000 ads per day. That’s still tooooo many for me.
Now how in the world any researcher could count down to the seventh person out of two billion, I have no idea. That billion number is of course an exaggeration. But I do know that while attempting to read one simple news report on line, often at least fifty to eighty itty-bitty ad bites burst onto the screen, driving me mad. Well, maybe not raising my ire, but at least they cause frustration.
There is no argument that I enjoy spending money both on myself and for others, but repetitive ads are not necessary to snatch my life savings. Several thoughts dashed through my mind, like Santa’s reindeer, while counting the zeroes in the ten figured number above. Stop the over abundance of sales pitches. Give me simple descriptions, including an image, if appropriate, minus all the repetitive blarney. But, third, allow quiet time for my mind to rest and be restored.
As followers of the Lord, it seems as though these three observations also apply to a Christian or follower of God. Every human needs to hear about the Savior, His life, and His invitation to become a member of His family. Everlasting life is not a product or service, but it is a gift from the Creator. We need to know what God thinks and wants for each of us. We do need to listen to His invitation for us to follow. Some repetition of the message is necessary, but maybe not three hundred twenty-seven page books, but perhaps small notes, a short conversation, or focused sermon to begin a dialogue.
Just like the seller of a well-known auto, there must be samples for potential buyers to see, talk with owners, and even test drive. Likewise, God’s people are living models of the Christian life. Current believers are one of the most effective ways for God to introduce Himself throughout the world. We are a light, set on a hill, which is seen throughout your home, village, workplace, or the world. To win our neighbor or world, let’s NOT hide our candle under a bushel.
Eventually, however, the most effective selling technique requires USERS to actually share the joys, advantages, and reasons for the product. Followers of the King of Glory need to shed their timidity gene. Each of us must actually reach out to the Seeker or person unfamiliar with God and share the joys of Kingdom membership. We are to “Go into all the world and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19-20).
We each must don our brilliant ‘yellow shoes’, and walk bravely forward, advertising the Savior of the World through ‘Word and Deed.” Just remember to do it with sensitivity and kindness
Kathryn Ransom 