Jesus and the Soup du Jour

by Larry Hehn on July 25, 2012

As a kid I remember shopping for a new TV with my Dad.

Back then we didn’t have HDTVs, DVDs, or electronics superstores. Heck, I was the remote control. We were still trying to get used to that amazing feature called “color”.

We went where everyone else went to buy a TV at the time – the local furniture department store.

It was a land of smarmy sales guys who worked strictly on commission. You could tell them by their hungry eyes, insincere grin and Hai Karate after shave.

My Dad asked one of them for more information about a TV that had caught his eye.

“Well,” smirked the Ron Burgundy wannabe, “It’s a Panasonic. And a Panasonic…is a Panasonic.”

“Well,” I thought, “That was not helpful. And not helpful…is not helpful.”

Apparently my Dad felt the same way.

We didn’t buy a TV from that guy.

Fast forward to last weekend.

My wife, son and I were out for dinner after a fun day trip to Tobermory, Ontario.

As we perused the handwritten menu at the Rocky Raccoon Café, one item in the drinks section piqued my curiosity.

When our server came to the table to take our order, I asked her, “What is Meredith’s Ginger Syrup?”

Looking slightly perplexed, she stammered in reply, “It’s…ginger syrup.”

Ok, I thought. I had that much figured out. I was hoping for a bit more detail. How did I suddenly wind up in this scene from Dumb and Dumber?

I later realized that English wasn’t her mother tongue, and that she had trouble putting the words together to describe what Meredith’s was. My curiosity won out, and I ordered it just to find out.

It was amazing.

So amazing that this weekend I’m going to make a special trip to a local shop to pick up a bottle for myself.

I’m glad that I took that extra step to find out more about the ginger syrup, because I could just as easily have declined in response to our server’s lackluster response.

And, as usual, it got me thinking.

If someone asked me today to tell them about Jesus and my faith, how compelling and worthy an answer would I give them?

Umm…Jesus is my Lord and Savior? Jesus is my friend? My co-pilot? My homeboy?

Hmm…

What would you say?

…And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way… – 1 Peter 3:15b-16a

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Tagged as: Christianity, influence

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

tcavey July 25, 2012 at 3:58 pm

Good question.
For me, I think I would tell them to pull up a chair- I have some amazing things to share.
Daily I learn more about God and want to share all He has done for me and those around me.

The tricky part is, not waiting for someone to ask. I must be bold in sharing, other wise there are many people missing out on some great soup!
tcavey recently posted..The Character of Popularity and Leadership?

Larry Hehn July 29, 2012 at 11:29 pm: Well said, TC. Thanks!

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Juan Cruz Jr July 26, 2012 at 7:44 am

Larry, I had struggles for a while trying to come up with an answer if asked about Jesus and my faith. My best answer is to give them my testimony – where I was, what Jesus did for me, and where I am now. That’s best way for people to see the awesome power of Jesus and that he can transform lives. Then we can push forward and say those other great things about Jesus – he is my savior, he is love.

BTW – funny clip from Dumb and Dumber. I had almost forgotten about that scene. : )
Juan Cruz Jr recently posted..Leadership Excellence by Pat Williams (Book Review)

Larry Hehn July 29, 2012 at 11:30 pm: That’s the spirit, Juan!
Yep, Dumb and Dumber is often quoted around our house. We’re into the classics…

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Carol Rives July 26, 2012 at 10:51 am