Mis-marketing Jesus

I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure Marketing 101 emphasizes three key points:
      1. Know you audience
      2. Know what you audience wants
      3. Know what your audience needs
Let's look at these more closely from the viewpoint of discipleship.  1.  Audience:  As Christians, this should be easy.  Our audience is anyone who does not yet know Jesus as savior.  2.  What our audience wants can be a bit tricky because there are many varied answers.  However, I think we can construe that universally people want hope, a sense of belonging, acceptance,  authentic relationships with people, and relief from physical and emotional torment.  3.  What the audience needs can also be tricky, because it doesn't always align with what they want.   We need forgiveness, restoration, love, and an intercessor who can connect us with our creator in an eternal manner. Successful products and marketing campaigns find ways to connect the consumers wants and needs.  As Christians this should be very good news.  Nothing can compare with Jesus.  He can do it all.  In theory, with a product like Jesus, we shouldn't be able to keep the shelves stocked.  As a disciple, I am to go and make disciples.   Easy right? 
        
Matthew 28:19-20     Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

So far so good.  Okay, now pause and take a step back.  If Jesus is the total package, and fits both the needs and wants of the consumer, why is demand so low.  Why does it seem like Christians work so hard to convince people of the value of Jesus only to see them walk away empty handed and unhappy?  Most still in search of that elusive "something" they are missing.  Maybe we need flashy lights and cool videos.  Maybe we need some big gimmick to draw in hungry consumers.  Or maybe we just need a new perspective.  Obviously, the problem isn't Jesus...It's us. 

Picture this:  You are at home eating dinner with your family.  A man knocks on the door.  You answer and are obviously shocked by what you see before you.  He is filthy, ragged, smelly, and just down right gross.  He tells you that he's hungry.  You feel for him.  You really do.  And, being the good Christian that you are, you know about the soup kitchen that will be open tomorrow for lunch.  You pass the word along.  You even give him directions and a phone number he can call.  You close the door, feeling good, and finish dinner with your family.  He walks away encouraged at the hope of a meal in his near future, but still hungry now. 

"So, what's that little story have to do with anything?" you many wonder.  Well, I'll tell you.  We are mis-marketing Jesus.  We go out looking to make disciples.  Our intentions are pure.  Like most consumers, we meet people who are impatient.  They want what they want and they want it NOW!  And what do we Christians do?  We sell them Heaven.  And, because some of them are so broken, hurt, and tired, the prospect of relief in the future is enough for now.  But tomorrow is a different story.  They may have hope for tomorrow, but they are still in need for redemption now.  But they don't yet understand the power of Jesus.  We sold them Heaven via Jesus, and so that's what they understand Jesus to be capable of.  I'm not saying that's not a very powerful thing.  But, for many it doesn't solve their needs for today.  Many become frustrated with their new purchase and just toss it aside and go out looking again for a present time cure.

As Christians, as disciple makers, we have to show the world that Jesus is all of the above!  Is he hope for tomorrow?  YES!  But even more importantly to many, he is also hope NOW.  He is relief NOW!  He is that "something" you are searching for NOW!

Matthew 4:17       From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”   

Jesus is telling us.  Look!  I am here for you today, tomorrow, and for eternity.  You don't have to wait for me any longer.  You can live Heaven now.  And the message for us as Christians is this:  Don't sell Jesus short.  Tell the whole story.  The only way we can show others what Jesus is now, is by being those things ourselves.  Perhaps then we will achieve true discipleship. 

 

Perfect Timing

Hmmmm...where to begin.  Well, as you probably noticed it's been a LONG time since I've written. In fact, it's been almost exactly two years since my last post.  You may have wondered why I wasn't writing anymore, or maybe not.  I remember the first blog post I wrote.  It was something that had been creeping into my head and invading my sleep for quite some time.  I tried to express my thoughts verbally and textually, but for whatever reason, the words weren't coming together.  So, I pushed it aside for a while longer and just repeated the process when I started losing sleep again.  Ultimately, I knew that I would not find peace until I was able to get my feelings out.  So I did.  But, getting your thoughts onto paper versus making them available for others to scrutinize are two different things.  So, it took me another little while to have the courage to share myself with others.  Especially close friends.  Because, let's face it, the judgment of strangers doesn't mean much to our personal worth.  Anyways, here I go getting side tracked again!  Back to the point...when I finally made my first post, I was scared to death, and unbelievably excited at the same time.  This was a big move for  me, and a long time coming. Who knew it would be such an ordeal to just write a few paragraphs.  What I didn't understand then, was that I was trying to force God's hand.  I was trying to make my time become His time.  And try as I did, it never worked.  But, when I surrendered my plan to His, it all suddenly came together.  I guess that's why I was so nervous about that first post.  It seemed like I was not in control.  And truthfully, I wasn't.  That's the great thing about it.  After that first post, my mind continued to race, and God lead me down paths and gave me words I never expected in a million years.  I was loving it.  So, where does that leave me today?  Good question.

A lot of you may think I just got tired of writing and decided to quit.  I'm not going to lie, it was a lot more time consuming than I realized it would be!  But, I didn't just decide to quit.  The thoughts just kind of slowed down.  I started sleeping more.  I tried to keep writing for a while, but my posts became fewer and farther between.  Again, I felt like I was trying to force God's hand.  So, basically, I stopped writing and started living my life.  I still had things I wanted to share with others, but the time wasn't right.  As I settled into the normalcy of life with three kids, God started throwing curve balls my way!  I was in my 9th year of teaching junior high.  My husband was farming.  My daughter was about to start 1st grade and the twins were gearing up for headstart.  I was getting tired, or maybe restless I'm not quite sure.  I wanted to stay home and be with my family more, but the timing wasn't right.  It was a rough year on me emotionally and physically.  No major trauma, but I was just feeling worn down by the grind and needed change.  In January of last year, I had a slight health scare.  Everything turned out okay, but it made Travis and I question a lot of things in our lives.  I felt the need to be home with my kids, but financially it wasn't possible.  Then, seemingly out of the blue two incredible things happened.  Travis got a job and the Kiowa County Ag Extension Agent for Kiowa County, and I got PREGNANT!!!!!  Finally, instead of trying to force a path for myself, I felt like God was flashing a giant neon arrow at me saying "This way please!"  I had no choice but to follow. 

What I understand as absolute truth is this.  Our time is not ours.  Our lives are not ours.  It's so hard to accept the lack of control we have in God' plan for our lives, yet we must.  The hours we spend in prayer begging are hard to swallow when the answer is, "not yet".  We try so hard to display control over our own lives, and sometimes we succeed.  Unfortunately, our success is always in vain and ultimately leads us in the wrong direction.  His plan is perfect.  His plan is exciting.  His plan is rewarding.  His plan is hard! His plan is hope and love and forgiveness.  When we surrender ourselves to His plan, we are recipients of His grace and blessings beyond measure! 

     Jeremiah 29:11 
   For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give 
   you a future and a hope.

     Proverbs 16:9
   In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

So this is where I am.  I am now the mother of 4 beautiful babies and the wife of an amazing man.  The youth pastor of an incredible group of young people at the First United Methodist Church in Hobart, Oklahoma.  HAHAHA!  I'm sorry, I get a kick out it still.  Never in my wildest imagination, could I have ever dreamed up such a crazy and awesome life!  And here I sit.  At my desk.  Writing words God has given me to share with you yet again.  Following his perfect timing.  How long will I keep the blog up this time?  I have no clue!  I just know that wherever He leads, I must follow.  Join me.