Unbelievably blessed and how to share it

You are literally unbelievably blessed. “Literally” as in no one can possibly believe how blessed you are.

But as Christians, you and I often have a problem. “Why doesn’t anyone believe this amazing news?” we wonder. Some of us try to dissect how and why we’re not relevant to contemporary society. Others suppose we’ve compromised the gospel so much that our message lacks the power it should have.

You and I and everyone else can analyze it all we want, but the core reason we struggle with this doesn’t have anything to do with our presentation. It has to do with the basic truth of the gospel.

The gospel message says we’re unbelievably blessed. God reached down to earth and communicated with us… and still does. He sent His Son to die so we could keep talking.

Think about that. Is it any wonder no one believes us? It’s written right into the definition of the gospel: we’re not believably blessed – we’re unbelievably blessed. Guys, that changes everything.

Let’s try the “just try it” approach

If we’re sharing a message that’s unbelievable, we can’t appeal to logic. Appealing to logic weakens the message by making it more believable. Instead, our message works like this:

I can’t even tell you what I’ve got. It’s a surprise.
Here’s how to try it out though. This is the only way you’ll understand even a sliver of it.

Contrast that to the pop approach:

Here’s what I have.
Here’s what it can do for you.
Here’s how to get it.

I mean, at first, that sounds great. But what really happens? If we don’t share enough of how amazing God is, no one’s interested. If we share too much, though, no one believes us. At that point, instead of moving into “just try it,” we move into more explanation.

The truth is, no matter how much we explain it, they’re not going to get it. It’s unbelievable. So my theory is to cut out as many steps as possible and jump right into “just try it.”

A Chinese example of “just try it”

There’s a restaurant at a mall here in Louisville called Max Orient. It’s Americanized Chinese, and it’s known at least city-wide for the women up front asking everyone who walks by, “Sample, sample, sample?” They hold out toothpicks with chunks of mouth-watering chicken and pork for anyone to try.

I’ve never asked for their numbers, but I’d bet they have – no joke – 10 times more customers than any other place nearby. Other than Chick-fil-a, which is popular with my friends because it’s a Christian business, Max Orient is the only restaurant in the food court that anyone talks about.

Why?

Because they let you try it.
Because what you try is delicious.

That’s how we share our unbelievable blessings. We get people to taste them. We can sort out the details afterward.

How to give a taste of those blessings

1. Be a Christian. God loves blessing His followers. Sometimes those blessings don’t come the way we want them, and yes, sometimes – most of the of the time – it’s hard. But if you’re a Christian, you are and will be blessed.

So act like it. Respond to God’s blessings by living an insanely grateful life.

2. Live among non-Christians. It’s easy to clique up and avoid the rest of the world. Christians share many of the same interests and ideas. It’s scarier to congregate with people who live and think completely differently from you.

But go for it. Live outside the Christian Ghetto. That’s how the rest of the world gets a taste of our blessings: God blesses them too just because they’re so close to us. Unbelievable blessings can’t help but impact those around us.

Okay, here’s a quick summary

You’re unbelievably blessed.

No one believes unbelievable blessings. They just have to experience them.

You can share those blessings, though, by living like you’re blessed around others and letting your blessings rub off on them.

Serving Suggestions:

(1) Whenever I talk about this, I get skeptical responses. Some Christians don’t like fast-food, no commitment relationships with Jesus, and “just try it” seems too close to that. Does it to you? Why (or why not)?

(2) One practical benefit of being unbelievably blessed is that worry disappears. That alone, if it’s legit, is enough to compel tons of people to want what we have. So try not worrying. Yes, it’s way harder than me just saying, “Don’t worry.” But really… are we unbelievably blessed or not?

(3) Worry is just one benefit. What else is there? How else does that play out in everyday life? How will others experience it? How can you help others experience it?