Runner

So, why do you do what you do?

Well…that’s the million dollar question and then some, huh?

At least New Balance thinks so.

I know, this is the second week in a row that I’ve talked about shoes. What’s the deal?

But, listen, when somebody does an advertising campaign this different – this real – I think it deserves a mention.

Admittedly, I’ve been fascinated with marketing for most of my life. I remember looking at cereal boxes as a kid, my interest held by their characters, icons, fonts, colors and layout. I’ve always been intrigued by the things that move us to buy what we buy, think what we think and do what we do, whether for good or bad.

When I see an interesting ad on TV, or hear one on the radio, I always like to stop and really pay attention.

Sometimes, basic really works. For example, simply utter the magic phrase,

Head On, Apply Directly to the Forehead.
Head On, Apply Directly to the Forehead.
Head On, Apply Directly to the Forehead

and I would be willing to bet that most folks will know what you’re talking about.

Sometimes, campaigns rely on more sophisticated techniques. A few weeks ago, a brand new campaign from New Balance made me stand still and take notice. The shoe company didn’t make an appeal to fashion sense, peer pressure, or remarkable claims about how high their product can make you jump, or how fast it will make you run. They definitely didn’t go the route of endorsement by celebrity athletes.

Instead, they made an appeal to the heart. New Balance is looking to evoke in “Joe / Jane Average Shoe Buyer” a feeling of why he or she buys athletic shoes in the first place.

Baseball shoes are about playing baseball, and loving it. Running shoes are about running, and loving it. You get the idea.

A young athlete hits a hard groundball to the shortstop. As he digs and grunts toward first base, running for all he’s worth, the announcer’s voice can be heard. “A reminder to all you pros out there: This is what running out a groundball looks like.”

I love it.

Two high school football players run a tackling drill and knock the daylights out of each other. “A reminder to all you pros out there: This is what ‘practice like you play’ looks like.”

Awesome.

The name of their advertising campaign?

For Love or Money.

So, why do you do what you do?

Here’s what I mean: I’ve recently spent time working with a fired-up Christian who feels a deep call to ministry. As some first preaching opportunities approach on the horizon, he can’t wait to “get” the chance to explore that call.

What a great reminder to me! After 9 years in ministry, I’ll have to confess that yours truly here can sometimes think, “yep, I’ve got to preach again this Sunday.”

The difference between “get” to and “got” to is huge.

Money is a definite reality of life, whether you’re a pro athlete, a teacher, a preacher, a farmer or a ditch-digger. But, I swear, I think we can learn to see the world as a place where we “get” to do what we do, not where we’ve “got” to go make ourselves do it.

Life is a gift, and it’s got to be lived with a passion that sees, and seizes, opportunity.

Everybody needs significance, and folks, that’s what Jesus is all about.

If you’ve ever seen a group of sad Christians slowly jogging out the “groundballs” of ministry because they’ve got to, instead of digging hard because they get to, you know how really sad that is.

Somewhere along the way, the point – the “what it’s all about” -- got tragically, terribly lost. The good news is, it really can be found again.

Jesus had words for the Pharisees who “tied up heavy burdens” on the backs of God’s people. They had lost their way, only playing hard if there were enough people in the stands to applaud their efforts.

Would you run hard, even if nobody was watching?

See, it’s about “practicing like we play.” It’s about “running out groundballs” of faith. It’s about knowing that we have been redeemed. It’s about knowing that the weight of sin and hurt and shame can be taken off our backs, if we’ll ask, and believe that God really does love us that much.

It’s tough to run when you’re carrying a thousand pound pack.

Know what? God is not impressed with your ability to stagger along beneath that load.

Put it down. Run hard, with a tough little smile that says, “I run because I want to. Because I get to. Because I love it.”

Please understand me. This isn’t a pastor doing a volunteer recruitment campaign. I hope you don’t think I’m talking about something as non-threatening as church volunteerism.

I’m talking about a change in identity. We run because “runner” is who we are. Love makes us that way.

So…why do you do what you do?

What if you just did it --- for love? Because you are loved?

I promise, the world knows the difference when it sees it.

This Sunday, I get to preach. I cannot wait.

Grace and Peace,
Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

What a great Sunday we just had! Our attendance was outstanding, and 9 adults and 7 children joined our number at our 8:30 and 10:00 worship services.

A big SOTH welcome to:

Sharon Hudson
Maria Davis
Patricia Perry
Phyllis Bundy
Amanda Bundy
Angie and Harry Shore Family
Samantha Smith
Sara Loehn

We had a great time together with our 2006 new members and Church Council for lunch, and a good start was made on building connections for those who are new to the SOTH family.

Small Group Ministry and New Worship Opportunity Coming in September:

Look for more details soon on the small groups that are organizing to study John Ortberg’s If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat in September and October. Also, beginning September 10th, SOTH will begin offering a Sunday night worship experience for our community. More details coming very soon!