Weekend Snippet: Impossible to Ignore

As a writer and small business owner who does her own marketing, I spend a lot of time figuring out how to get my words read.  A big part of what I do to make a living is attracting people's attention, and making them want the thing I'm selling. If I fail, I don't get many shoppers, which translates to a skinnier wallet.  Of course, I'm naturally better at failing than succeeding, so I have to work to overcome my own handicaps.

I was thinking about the effectiveness of God's campaign for our souls as I re-read the "marketing" chapter in Isaiah, chapter 55 to be exact, which I've been talking about for two posts now.  The passage begins with cries to "come and buy" something more valuable than the usual fare.  I spoke in detail about that in my recent post "Bought Without Money or Cost."  As the chapter unfolds, we are more clearly told that the thing of great value that can be found in this marketplace is a covenant with God (verse 3) which is something new, exciting, and previously unknown to the world (verses 5-8).  In fact, part of what makes it so wonderful is the fact that none of us deserve it, yet it is available for all of us to receive anyway (verse 7).

Frankly, no one can beat that.  It's brand-new, previously unknown, better than anything we have previously known, and freely given to anyone who wants it.  Who can hear of such a thing and still walk on?

Perhaps the reason why so many have not taken this offering is because they haven't heard about it yet, since God goes on to say,

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55: 10, 11 NIV)

 The reason why every word God says accomplishes His will is that every word is something we all need to hear.  God's word is kind, true, just, merciful, healing, faithful, fulfilling, comforting, and so much more!  It has 100% appeal to every walk of life.  On the other hand, when He pronounces judgement, no one can overturn it.  This is why even those who feel they can escape God will ultimately feel the need to listen.

Marketing campaigns or other kinds of work at a job or at school have their own kinds of usefulness, but God's word is ever useful, and always applicable. You might be able to turn off commercials and block out all the ads on the web, but you can't shut out the need you have for God's word.  If you've felt Him calling you and speaking to you today, I advise you to let Him in.  Give Him your ear, and watch Him transform your life and repair all the brokenness, like the flourishing bud in spring.