36 beautiful blonde Dutch fans were kicked out of the Holland v. Denmark World Cup match and then arrested for wearing bright orange dresses. The dresses were sold with Bavaria Beer packs in the Netherlands in the run-up to the World Cup, but football governing body FIFA accused the young women of staging an ambush marketing campaign.
Bavaria Beer did the wrong thing, but I wonder if we can learn something from their efforts. When it comes to advertising, our world knows a few tricks. Big companies know how to get their message out there. They are often very creative and very clever. Advertisers know how to make what they are selling attractive. They know how to make us feel like we really, really need what their product.
Did you know all Christians are in the advertising business too. Check out 1 Peter 2:9:
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Christians are called 4 different things; a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people belonging to God. That is, we are chosen by God to be his covenant people. We belong to God’s kingdom and are to be His representatives to the world. We are to be set apart for His service. And ultimately we are not our own, we are God’s possessions.
We are described these 4 ways, but we have 1 main purpose, which is to declare God’s praises. To praise someone is advertise their marvelous attributes and deeds as broadly as possible so everyone can recognize how great that person is. You see, Christians are in the advertising business. Praising God is much more than just singing. We need to be more creative and clever at getting this message out. We need to think outside of the box and take a risk for God. Why not get together with your Christian friends and dream up an advertising campaign for God at your school.
Of course, one of the best advertisements for God is living a transformed life. Titus 2 says that by submitting to and aiming to please authorities, not talking back, not stealing, being fully trustworthy, we can “make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive” (Titus 2:10).
So go for it. Use your imagination. Live a transformed life. Declare God’s praises. Start attractive advertising.