“SELLING” LIFE CHANGE
Kimberly Lawrence
Today's Scripture: “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15, ESV
Theme: View sharing an invitation to meet Jesus as the gift that it is, not a pushy sales pitch.
NO SOLICITING
We all hate it. We divert or block spam calls and put “no soliciting” signs in the front yard or business window. We may use another door to avoid contact with the people set up in front of the store we’re trying to get into. If you asked me 30 years ago what the only job I would never want was, I would have told you, “Sales.” The thought of approaching people in that way absolutely terrified me. I had visions of peddling copiers or used cars and of people hiding behind bushes and light poles if they saw me coming. I also despise negotiations. While some people thrive on it, I would rather have my teeth pulled than haggle at a flea market or buy a new car. Besides, who likes to hear the word “no”?
THE SALESMAN IN ME
Fast forward through my career, and you’ll find that most of that time has been spent in some sort of “sales” position, though certainly not in the stereotypical, high-pressure sense of the word. What I’ve also learned is that just about every aspect of life has some sort of “sales” component to it. We sell ideas, concepts, viewpoints, and preferences all the time. I had mistakenly viewed “sales” as “aggressively pushing something on someone who didn’t want it,” perhaps with a total disregard for whether it was right. I now see it as simply providing information and education, with genuine care, to help another person come to their own conclusions.
RELUCTANT TO SELL
Because of my aversion to what I’ve deemed to be “salesmanship,” I have experienced great reluctance in inviting others to church. I suspect it’s the continued fear that they will feel pressured, offended in some way, or just turn me down. To justify not asking, I have made excuses for myself like, “The Cove is a big church. I’m sure someone has already asked them.” Maybe it’s something like, “I’ll wait for a topic or special event I think they’d like.” Or, my favorite, “They know I go to church, so if they were interested, they would ask me to come.”
THE GIFT
Do you know how I came to The Cove, how God changed my life and saved many people around me? Someone invited ME to church. That one person wasn’t afraid to ask, “Do you have a church home?” and even further, “Would you come with me to church this Sunday?” Was she “selling” me? Absolutely not. She was giving me the gift of an open invitation and allowing God to do the rest. The responsibility to make me a believer was not on her. God doesn’t need us to be His high-pressure sales force. We are to be witnesses and educators, with genuine care and concern, so that He can work in the hearts and minds of seekers.
Make It Personal: I challenge you to view inviting someone to church as the gift that it is, instead of an unwelcomed “pitch.” Movies at The Cove is the perfect time to bring a friend or acquaintance to hear the Gospel in a non-threatening and comfortable way. I was someone who did not grow up in a traditional church, so the idea of not being prepared or religious enough to attend was intimidating for me. Movies at The Cove may be a great first step for someone who hasn’t been inside a church in a long time, maybe ever. Even if they say “no,” it’s not a failure and they will likely be very polite about it. Trust that God will still use that seemingly failed effort as a spiritual marker to be built upon in that person’s life. You, too, may have declined many invitations before you eventually said “yes,” but fortunately someone kept asking.
Pray: God, please give me the courage to invite someone to church that You’re putting on my heart today. Open hearts and opportunities for conversation around our community that Your message will be heard. Help me to not be discouraged if my invitation doesn’t go the way I think it should. Help me trust that You are still working in ways I may not see. I pray for our blessing over Movies at The Cove, and that we will see extraordinary life change. In Your name. Amen.
Read: Luke 14:8-18
Weekly Memory Verse: “One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus.” John 1:40-42a, ESV