Make 'Em Want It

An astute business leader commented to me not long ago that it was his mission to find what each of his laborers had studied and to put this knowledge to good use in the workplace.  The math major would assist with bookkeeping, naturally, an English major would assist with editing publications, and I, as a marketing major, would assist with creating ideas to publicize and popularize our ventures.  

Though he admitted he didn’t study marketing and didn’t know its fundamentals, to his credit, he nailed the basic principle when he said “Find a way to make this thing exciting to people.  Make 'em want it!”  Isn’t that it?  Isn’t that what marketers do – take what they have and make it exciting?  Don’t they make the product or service look like something that someone can’t live one more day without?  It’s the buzz, the excitement, the passion.  “I want that!  I need to have that!”  It’s the energy, the flair, the authenticity.  We can tell when we’re being sold, when the message isn’t genuine. Surely, no one will ever buy a product with a tagline “Try this and you’ll definitely be disappointed.”  Doubtfully would one buy from someone whose expression is more of woe than the “Whoa!” they proclaim.

Yet, sometimes, is this not how the world may see some Christians today?  We talk of this salvation we have, this hope in us, our church, our songs, and on and on.  But what do they see along with that?  Is there a genuine passion behind the message or just some sales pitch?  Do we sing “How great is our God,” yet walk around deflated and defeated?  Do our expressions speak woe is me at the same time our mouths say “Jesus loves me?”  How are we marketing Christ to others?  Do we endure situations in a manner that people take notice?   Do they see our joy and our peace even in the midst of chaos and go “I want that?”  This is the one thing they can’t live one more day without and today might be the only day.  Fortunately, supplies aren’t limited and the phone lines are never busy.  

Would you buy what you’ve been selling these days?