Ever hear a really corny radio ad? Or watched a really melodramatic commercial? You know, where they try to act out a normal conversation, but end up sliding in obvious plugs of the product they are endorsing? Not too often in the middle of conversation do I state the name of the product and list all the side effects or rattle off all the benefits to my friends during a dinner or hangout session somewhere. I don’t tell them to ask their doctor “right away” for anything, so I often wonder where these commercial directors find their inspiration.
To me, that sort of advertising turns me away from the product. Sure, it may lure a few in, but for the most part, people just want to know it works, and they would rather just get the facts than try to find a hidden message somewhere or another. Some of the most memorable commercials are the funny ones, actually. Ones that display relevance, wit, charm, and comedy. They are memorable because they grab your attention, but instead of sell a product, they promote it.
There’s a difference between those two. To sell and to promote. To sell something means the intention is simply to gain profit from it, be it money or brownie points. Do some companies care what the consumer does after the sell? Not at all. But when something is promoted, and we see that they really want us to believe in the success of the product, and they take the time and energy to make a good case about it, we know they really believe in it, and thus, we start to believe it too. When we buy or order it, we exercise that belief in it. Because they promoted it well, and didn’t sell it.
I wondered about my influence as a man of God in this respect. Do I simply sell God, or do I really promote it? Do I just want the brownie points and a point for every person I encourage, or do I really invest in these relationships and in the people I help lead? There’s nothing wrong with sharing how your life has changed, but what I want us to be careful with is the intention behind it. Are we really listening to people and sharing our heart with them, or are we just waiting for the microphone time to spit out your best sales pitch?
Do I sound like an over-the-top commercial for God to everyone, sounding as fake as can be, or do people believe in what I say because I take time to build relevance, breed good relations, and offer a real passion? I’d like to say the latter, and I think I do a good job, but I know I can be a better example. It’s a simple reminder to check your gauges, and humble ourselves sometimes.
Do you ever feel like you’re listening to an exagerration of a Godly life from others, and more importantly, do you think people think that of you?
Let’s try to be real with people. Let’s honor them, by giving them ourselves. As friends. As people. Relevant people.
Before they change the channel.
