I Want to be God’s Promotional Display

Ever notice how strategically retailers display items in their store to draw us in? It’s all about them using psychology to grab us and encourage us to spend more on items we didn’t even realize we wanted. Even the height of items matters.

Lower items for the kiddos to see and beg for that “must have” cereal and the items that are placed in the middle of the aisle that we can’t resist. Or those promotional displays at the ends of aisles. Over time we even start to look at those areas as we pass to see if there is anything we want to buy there.

When we went into the store to pick up just a couple of items, we didn’t even need a cart. But just look at us. Now we’re loaded with a cart-full of items. And we think our shopping is complete when we stand in line to pay. But wait! We really need that package of gum or breath mints or a magazine. Or our child begs for the candy bar they see.

It’s all a part of that establishment’s strategy to make us buy more. I entitled my blog today “I Want to be God’s Promotional Display”. Like the strategically placed item in the store – I want to be strategically placed that others can’t resist.

As followers of Jesus Christ, you and I are called to live exemplary lives that people around us respect and want to be around. Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

We are called to be the light of Christ to others. We are called to represent Him well as we make choices of excellence. We are called to be noticed as others see our good works that bring glory to God. We are called to be His “promotional display”! The choice is ours.

Opportunities abound for us to be promoters of God — His representatives. We can shine brightly in busy stores and wait patiently in check-out lines. But instead of being that promotional display while we wait, we’re on our phones. I confess. That’s often me! Head down scrolling through my messages or timeline — ignoring others while I wait.

My heart is hearing my own message today. I really do want to be a promotional display for God as I wait patiently, purposely smiling, noticing those around me. I want to be like Jesus when He noticed Zaccheus up in the tree, or the blind man begging. He stopped because He saw!

With our cart full, we can offer to let someone go ahead of us who has only one or two items. We can spread “Joy to the World” wherever we are.

May we be light-bearers and LIGHT-sharers as we make choices for how we will live our lives as promotional displays for the goodness and grace of our Lord Jesus. Then, others will be saying “I want some of that!” And, look what we did…..we made Jesus even more famous!