Everyone seems to be selling something. Take a plane ride and you are inundated with reminders how great the airline is, how much they are looking forward to serving you, and how good you will feel when you tell all your friends to come and experience the same. It doesn’t end with place rides; check your cable and cell phone bills. Both offer you and I, consumers, the privilege of being salespersons for a service provider. Everyone seems to be pitching something to someone, no matter how little you need or want it.
The process isn’t new. As an invader stood at the gates the pitch went something like this; “Don't listen to Hezekiah. Listen to the king of Assyria's offer: ‘Make peace with me. Come and join me. Everyone will end up with a good life, with plenty of land and water, and eventually something far better. I'll turn you loose in wide open spaces, with more than enough fertile and productive land for everyone.’” (Isaiah 36.16, 17) The offer seemed too good to be true!
In today’s life everyone seems to have an angle. The invitation (pitch) can be inviting, comforting, and full of promise. The range is incredible; from relationships to happiness, from banks to church, from personal to the world at large. Is life merely a combination of sales and consumers?
I’d like to suggest a slightly different approach, for everyone. Before sharing anything with anyone, make sure you have walked along side someone long enough to be sure they are interested in what you are going to share. My proposition also includes the following.
Share in response; proactive sharing isn’t rarely desired by the recipient.
Take time to walk and listen with those in your community.
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and experiences life and God presents.
Real living starts with the proposition we offer ourselves. I wonder if I’ve listened to my heart. I wonder if I’ve heard what God has to say. God’s Spirit is living in you. Today is our opportunity to hear, listen, and experience.
