I have an idea for a commercial that (I feel) is the perfect blend of motivational, heartwarming, and inspirational. But seeing as I don’t know anyone in the TV industry—and haven’t the faintest clue of how to pitch a commercial—this blog post will probably be the only way my idea will see the light of day.
Allow me to set the scene:
The camera focuses on a blaring alarm clock with neon-red numbers—5:00 a.m. A hand reaches out, fumbling in the darkness to turn it off.
[Camera angle widens:]
Viewers see a middle-aged, slightly overweight man struggle to get up.
He puts on slippers, walks to the kitchen, turns on the coffee pot, and eats cereal. He walks past a calendar on the wall with JAN 1 circled in red with the word EXERCISE in all caps and underlined in red. The man stops. He looks at the calendar. His shoulders slump. He looks tired.
[The scene changes:]
We see the man getting out of his car. He’s wearing brand-new athletic apparel and walks up to a large building with a sign featuring the silhouette of a bodybuilder lifting weights. The man hesitates at the door. He looks back at his car. Longingly. Then he slowly goes inside.
[The scene changes again:]
The gym is full of chaos and noise. Weights hit the racks and clang loudly against each other as people use the machines. The man stands in the doorway, watching. Nervous. Intimidated.
Then—all at once—the people stop what they’re doing and stare at the man. Silence. The man feels every eye in the gym on him. Beads of sweat roll down his cheek. He’s never felt more like he didn’t belong. He knows—everyone else knows what to do. Everyone else is in good shape. Everyone else belongs. And. He. Doesn’t.
The man begins to leave.
But then someone walks over and holds out his hand with an encouraging smile. The man looks down at the outstretched hand, then back up at this individual—who, upon closer inspection, doesn’t look nearly as in shape as the man first thought. No one does. The people are all smiling at him. Encouraging. Inviting. The man smiles back and shakes the individual’s hand. He stays.
[The screen fades to black and these words appear:]
We’re all in this together.
Now how does my TV commercial pitch for a gym relate to the Christ-centered content housed here on the NPH blog?
At the start of a new year, many Christians look to get back into God’s Word—or they’re just starting out for the first time. They want to be in God’s Word, but starting . . . well, that can be intimidating. Overwhelming.
It can feel like everyone else—other family members or people at church—has it all figured out. Everyone else knows what to do. Everyone else belongs.
Maybe that’s how you feel about getting into God’s Word or being in God’s house, dear Christian. If so, remember that you belong. You are God’s dearly loved child because of Jesus. What he did on the cross was for you. These words—the Bible—are for you.
And other Christians? Well, we’re all in this together. In the pursuit of growing in God’s Word, we as Christians are here to support and encourage one another to keep going—keep growing closer to Jesus our Savior.
It’s not about competition. It’s about cooperation. It’s about community. It’s all about Christ.
Will there be challenges and setbacks this year? Absolutely.
Might you be tempted to close your Bible or stop reading your devotion book—or as you struggle with sin, might you feel like you don’t belong in church with the rest of God’s people? Almost certainly. The devil will try with all his might to tempt and accuse you every single day. He wants you to walk away.
Please. See your fellow family members around you. Reach out if you are overwhelmed. Or if you see someone else looking lost, you be the one to hold out your hand. Remember that we all struggle in our own ways. No one has it all figured out. To some extent, we all fear that we don’t belong.
And you know what? If it were all up to us, our fears would be right. We wouldn’t belong—not in God’s house, certainly not in his family. But it’s not about us. It’s about what Jesus has done for us. And we’re all looking to him for his forgiveness, peace, and comfort.
Stay.
We’re all in this together.
Northwestern Publishing House exists to help you find peace in an uncertain world through Christ-centered books and resources. Looking for a devotional or Bible study book to read in the new year? Let us know what you’d like to study in the comments below, and we’ll connect you with an appropriate recommendation!
Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House. He has his Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation.
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