A Childhood Story From India
When Vijay opened his store, he put up a sign that said: “We Sell Fresh Fish Here”. His father stopped by and said that the word “We” suggests an emphasis on the seller rather than the customer, and is really not needed. So the sign was changed to “Fresh Fish Sold Here.”
His brother came by and suggested that the word “here” could be done away with—it was superfluous. Vijay agreed and changed the sign to “Fresh Fish Sold.”
Next, his sister came along and said the sign should just say “Fresh Fish.” Clearly, it is being sold; what else could you be doing?
Later, his neighbor stopped by to congratulate him. Then he mentioned that all passers-by could easily tell that the fish was really fresh. Mentioning the word fresh actually made it sound defensive as though there was room for doubt about the freshness. Now the sign just read: “FISH”.
As Vijay was walking back to his shop after a break he noticed that one could identify the fish from its smell from very far, at a distance from which one could barely read the sign. He knew there was no need for the word “FISH”.
When I read this story, (from Presentationzen by Guy Kawasaki), I could not help but think that as Christians, we are selling Christ. If we live our faith, people will know and will want to buy into our Christ. We advertise Jesus by our lives.
“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing” 2 Corinthians 2:15. If we are truly the fragrance of Christ, then Christ will be selling Himself through our lives. It is in knowing Christ that we can let him live out His life through us.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people approached us repeatedly with the question, “I want what you have. Can you share it with me?
Let's sell Jesus through our lives!
I always said I hated 'Sales' but I can do this one because I am sold on the 'Product'.