Be Very Sure
Recently I was at Macy’s seeking to purchase new face powder. I know that is an expensive place to shop, but I have found that most make-ups cause me to get rashes and make my eyes water, so I have to spend a little extra to get something that will work for me. I normally use Estee Lauder powder, but the Clinique counter was having a special gift offer, so I thought I would try it and see if it would work for me. I had a very unusual encounter with the sales girl that caused me to think…and I will share that with you today.
When I approached the counter I asked the girl for a powder that would set my make up, explaining that I wanted something that would last all day. The girl said, “No, we don’t have anything like that – if you buy our powder you will have to reapply your powder all day long…it won’t last all day.” I spotted some mineral powders (loose powder) and asked about them and again she gave me a similar response saying, “You have to keep putting the powder on all day if you want your make-up to stay on.” I was surprised and as I was making sure I understood her properly repeating what she had said, another sales girl came along and said, “this powder will set your make-up and work well for what you want; if you want to make sure your nose doesn’t get shiny you can also get a compact powder to reapply throughout the day.” After that sales girl walked away, (hoping that I still might be able to get the special gift of lipstick and eye shadow), I asked the first sales girl I was working with how long the powder would last and again I was very surprised by her response when she said, “nobody knows, you have to twist the container for the powder to come up and the only way you know its gone is when the powder doesn’t come up any more.” As I continued asking her approximately how many weeks or months it might last, she simply “there is no way to know for sure.”
I decided to go the Estee Lauder counter and purchase my regular powder. When I spoke with the sales girl there she was very helpful. She assured me that the powder would do what I needed and when I asked how long it would last her answer was, “well, there is no way to tell you definitely because it depends on how often and how much you apply – but I have had mine for nearly a year.” She gave a much better and more knowledgeable answer, assuring me that my needs would be met, and she offered me some hope of how long the powder would last; I ended up making a sizable purchase at that counter. What a difference!
Now, you may be asking what in the world that has to do with anything… ok, since you asked I’ll tell you:)
Both of these sales girls were representatives. As Christians we too are representatives – now it may seem a little far fetched to compare the two, but for comparison purposes, I believe this experience can teach us some things.
1. A representative should be sure. The first sales girl didn’t seem too sure about anything. The second girl was confident! “And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:69
2. A representative must know the facts. The first girl didn’t know she had a product that would work for me; the second girl did. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15
3. A representative must offer hope. The first girl offered me no hope – if I used her product I would have to constantly keep applying the powder all day, and would have no idea how long it would be before I had to make another purchase. The second girl assured me that my needs would be met, and gave me hope that my powder might last almost a year! “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” I Peter 3:15
Now obviously, we are representing Christ and not trying to sell something as trivial as face powder, but in reality as representatives for Christ if you want to be able to reach the lost for Christ you must…
KNOW that you are saved – be sure of your salvation. “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.” John 4:22
KNOW the facts. Study the Word of God, know why you believe the things you believe and be ready to give an answer.
KNOW the Reason for your Hope – Sanctify the Lord in your heart – your heart being the deep seated place of your true feelings, beliefs, and emotions, meaning that Christ is at the helm of all you believe, feel, and express – He is ever present with you…through it all!
That first sales girl was a very poor representative because she was unsure, misinformed, and offered no hope! I liked the second girl – she offered security, had the answers and gave me hope!
I like this song:
In times like these you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Chorus
This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these you need the Bible,
In times like these O be not idle;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these I have a Savior,
In times like these I have an anchor;
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Ladies, I hope that you are very sure. May we all represent Him well today.
Have a wonderful day!
When I approached the counter I asked the girl for a powder that would set my make up, explaining that I wanted something that would last all day. The girl said, “No, we don’t have anything like that – if you buy our powder you will have to reapply your powder all day long…it won’t last all day.” I spotted some mineral powders (loose powder) and asked about them and again she gave me a similar response saying, “You have to keep putting the powder on all day if you want your make-up to stay on.” I was surprised and as I was making sure I understood her properly repeating what she had said, another sales girl came along and said, “this powder will set your make-up and work well for what you want; if you want to make sure your nose doesn’t get shiny you can also get a compact powder to reapply throughout the day.” After that sales girl walked away, (hoping that I still might be able to get the special gift of lipstick and eye shadow), I asked the first sales girl I was working with how long the powder would last and again I was very surprised by her response when she said, “nobody knows, you have to twist the container for the powder to come up and the only way you know its gone is when the powder doesn’t come up any more.” As I continued asking her approximately how many weeks or months it might last, she simply “there is no way to know for sure.”
I decided to go the Estee Lauder counter and purchase my regular powder. When I spoke with the sales girl there she was very helpful. She assured me that the powder would do what I needed and when I asked how long it would last her answer was, “well, there is no way to tell you definitely because it depends on how often and how much you apply – but I have had mine for nearly a year.” She gave a much better and more knowledgeable answer, assuring me that my needs would be met, and she offered me some hope of how long the powder would last; I ended up making a sizable purchase at that counter. What a difference!
Now, you may be asking what in the world that has to do with anything… ok, since you asked I’ll tell you:)
Both of these sales girls were representatives. As Christians we too are representatives – now it may seem a little far fetched to compare the two, but for comparison purposes, I believe this experience can teach us some things.
1. A representative should be sure. The first sales girl didn’t seem too sure about anything. The second girl was confident! “And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:69
2. A representative must know the facts. The first girl didn’t know she had a product that would work for me; the second girl did. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15
3. A representative must offer hope. The first girl offered me no hope – if I used her product I would have to constantly keep applying the powder all day, and would have no idea how long it would be before I had to make another purchase. The second girl assured me that my needs would be met, and gave me hope that my powder might last almost a year! “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” I Peter 3:15
Now obviously, we are representing Christ and not trying to sell something as trivial as face powder, but in reality as representatives for Christ if you want to be able to reach the lost for Christ you must…
KNOW that you are saved – be sure of your salvation. “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.” John 4:22
KNOW the facts. Study the Word of God, know why you believe the things you believe and be ready to give an answer.
KNOW the Reason for your Hope – Sanctify the Lord in your heart – your heart being the deep seated place of your true feelings, beliefs, and emotions, meaning that Christ is at the helm of all you believe, feel, and express – He is ever present with you…through it all!
That first sales girl was a very poor representative because she was unsure, misinformed, and offered no hope! I liked the second girl – she offered security, had the answers and gave me hope!
I like this song:
In times like these you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Chorus
This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these you need the Bible,
In times like these O be not idle;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these I have a Savior,
In times like these I have an anchor;
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Ladies, I hope that you are very sure. May we all represent Him well today.
Have a wonderful day!
wonderful post! :) I don't think you are supposed to keep your make up for a year btw, but I do anyway! ;)
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