Help! I Can’t Reach It!

I stood in the grocery aisle, staring up at the box of Dairy Whip perched just out of reach. A tall man walked by, and I called out, “Could you help me with that?” He tried – but NOT! Then, with a grin, he lifted his daughter onto his shoulders. She stretched out her little arms and snagged the box with ease.

It got me thinking – why do stores put things so high up? Most of the time, retailers know exactly what they’re doing. The eye-level goodies? Those are meant to draw us in. And the low-hanging snacks? A siren call for the kids – cue the begging for candy or cartoon-laden cereal.

I’m no stranger to their tactics. I head in for two things, skip the cart, and before I know it, I’m juggling armfuls of stuff I never planned to buy. And those impulse items by the checkout? They leap into my hands like they have a life of their own!

But what if we flipped the strategy and made it about faith? I want to be just like those eye-catching items – strategically placed by God, irresistible in the best way.

As believers, we’re called to be living, breathing “promotional displays” of Jesus – a light that others can’t help but notice. Matthew 5:14 doesn’t mince words: “YOU are the light of the world.” That’s not just a suggestion. It’s our assignment.

Think about it – how do we show that light? We wait patiently when the line crawls at a snail’s pace. We smile at the tired cashier. We offer the mom with the screaming toddler a nod of solidarity, or we let the person behind us with just a carton of eggs go ahead.

These small acts? They shine. They say, “There’s something different about this one.” And before you know it, someone’s thinking, I want what they have.

With the new year on the horizon, let’s make a resolution that matters – to be light-bearers in a world desperate for hope. May our lives be displays of God’s love, peace, and joy, causing others to reach out and say, “I need that light in my life.”