Researching some titles for a new podcast I may or may not ever get around to actually producing, I googled (do you use lower case for Google as a verb) upon an old blog from 2011 that brought out other ideas I may or may not ever get around to actually acting on as well. It fits in on one of the theme that I keep gravitating towards in the past six months, so I’m re-sharing it here. Plus, that leaves one less post I have to write this week…
Pop Quiz: Who would you be more willing to accept a message or courage and perseverance from?
1. Being Successful In Business From:
a) Fortune 500 CEO
b) Silicon Valley Startup CEO
2. Being A Champion From:
a) Michael Jordan
b) LeBron James
3. The Power Of Faith From:
a) Mega Church Pastor
b) Struggling Alcoholic
4. What To Teach Your Children From:
a) A First Time Mother To Be
b) A Mother Of Five
5. The Meaning Of Life From:
a) An Elderly Man At His First Day In A Nursing Home
b) A Five-Year-Old Boy At His First Day In School
This is a trick question, as there is no right answer as to who you could take advice from. Assuming both of your choices are giving a similar message, it’s all based on who you personally resonate with (and want to here the message come from).
Let’s use the choices in question number 3 for example. We have a hypothetical pastor of a mega church with a flock of thousands locally, and maybe millions through television and the internet. We pair him up with someone we’re listing as a struggling alcoholic, a general anybody from anywhere. Both are speaking on the use of faith.
The preacher can tell you about God and the power that comes from Him. He (the preacher) will tell you that He (God) wants you to be prosperous, and that faith in Him will help Him show you the way to your own prosperity on Earth, and much later in Heaven.
Our hypothetical alcoholic could preach the exact same sermon, and should be just as correct as the preacher, if you believe the words as spoken by the preacher. Chances are the alcoholic will talk short of God bringing you everlasting salvation and long on God being a day-to-day presence, available to lean on for everything, and more than willing to help you do the things you need to just get by.
Bottom line, two people can offer up the same message, but you may perceive the message as more viable from one person over another.
Remember this next time you’re watching Dr. Phil and he says something profound . . . only to be reminded by your spouse they have been saying the very same thing that you’ve been ignoring for years.