There are
times when listeners can get wrapped up in the story or illustration that a
speaker uses and miss the point. I
recall one of the first times I learned this.
Wayne and I were presenting the sermon one Friday at the
non-denominational church we attended in Tehran, Iran many years ago. (Have I gotten you distracted by the details
of my illustration? Are you wondering:
“What were you doing in Iran? Was it
safe? Why a sermon on Friday and not Sunday? You have just illustrated my
point.) As a punctuation to my
message, I, a bride of one year, said something about my husband leaving dirty
socks on the bedroom floor. I’m sure
that whatever I was talking about was profound.
But in the “after-service-coffee-hour” I had many people give me their “dirty-sock”
stories. My illustration had captured
their attention and drowned the significant truth I was trying to expound.
Several years
later I spoke in the chapel of my Alma mater on the topic of spiritual
growth. I used the illustration about
our darling cocker spaniel puppy. If I
was doing that presentation today I’d probably show his picture on the
screen. But we didn’t have power point
slides or projectors then. (Are you now
remembering back to those ancient days or counting how many iterations of
technology have evolved since that time? Or maybe you’re trying to remember what it was
like to use transparencies and overhead projectors? I heard someone the other day ask a young
person if she had a mimeograph machine to make a copy for him. Stay with me, don’t get distracted. I haven’t made my point yet.) When I
said, “cocker spaniel” an audible “aww” rose from the audience of
collegians. I definitely had their
attention. My illustration revolved
around the demanding job of training a puppy and how difficult it was to force
him out into the snow to do his business.
The snow accumulation was higher than he was tall and he didn’t know
what to do but stand at the door and whine. “As much as my heart broke for
him,” I told the students, “if I wanted a trustworthy pet for the future, he
and I had to endure this grueling training.
No matter how much he whined, I knew what was best for him.” If you
haven’t gotten lost thinking of how cute cockers are or re-living the potty
training of your two-year-old, you have probably gotten my real point. “I am often like our cocker spaniel whining,
‘God, don’t do this to me. Let me
in. I want to be comfortable. And he
keeps tossing me into the cold.”
I know I made
my point very specific and direct, but can you guess how many people afterward
commented on cocker spaniels or their own dog training methods and experiences?
(Maybe just now you want to tell me about
yours) I wanted to hear from the
students where God was stretching their formable lives. I wanted them to share how imprinting his
image on them was an uncomfortable even painful experience. I wanted them to testify of their desire to
submit to his will. That was not what I got.
But I can’t
be too critical of them because when I was sitting years earlier in those
chapel seats, we had a speaker named Winkie Pratney. A name like that sticks in your mind. (Google
him later, not now) Winkie, too,
was there to inspire and challenge. I
don’t remember his text or theme, but I remember his illustration and it has
challenged me time and time again in the years since then. Then I was enthralled with his story, but I
had no idea the recurring impact it would have on the decisions I’d make in the
future.
Another
illustration that I call “Pink Shoes” has brought depth to my spiritual walk
and growth. From a very attractive, vibrant, articulate, inspiring speaker at a
women’s retreat, I took away this story.
Shelley
or Sheila, (I really don’t remember her
name, and of course the name is not important.
But I am trying to trip you up.
Is it working?) while window shopping, saw a delightful and
completely impractical pair of pink shoes.
She knew she could not spend the little money she had on them. That
money was already designated for “necessities” like rent, gasoline and feeding
her children. The temptation for those shoes was great because they would be a
perfect enhancement to a dress hanging in
her closet. The temptation was resisted, but she did offer up a prayer to God
about how marvelous the shoes would look on her feet and if he wanted to bless
her with them, she would accept. Within
a short period of time, an envelope of money was handed to her with the words,
“Do something for yourself.” She knew
exactly what to do. She was right. The
pink shoes looked spectacular with the dress.
In fact, feeling very stylish and put together, she wore the ensemble to
a dinner party where she met an executive from a TV station. He was impressed with her abilities and
style. That encounter led to her hosting a talk show…
And
undoubtedly that fame and exposure was why she was speaking at a retreat I was
attending. She and I knew from her
illustration that the pink shoes were only the cherry on top of all that God
had invested in her for such a time as that.
The pink shoes played a minor role and God made sure she had all that
she needed to fill that role.
Shelley or
Sheila’s story resounds for me today (I’ve
I experience God acting similarly at times in my own life and I bet you’re
thinking of incidents in yours as well. I’d like to read about them in the
comment section.
By-the-way, this distraction is not missing the point, this is getting the
point.). The truth her
story gave me then is imperative to my current prayers. I could say that I’m praying a lot of “pink-shoe
prayers”, but I’m concerned someone might think I am praying for pink shoes. (Not you, of course)
“All that is needed…All that is needed” God
provides. For years the “Pink Shoes” illustration has helped me remember that
truth.
If you’re
thinking pink shoes are silly or frivolous (maybe
you do because you’ve gotten trapped in my illustrations instead of getting the
point) then let me show you just how interested God is in such things.
When
it was Esther’s turn to go to the king…she asked for nothing other than what
Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the harem, had recommended….The king fell
in love with Esther…
…and because she
had the right accessory (okay, partly
because she had the right accessory) all the Jews were saved from
slaughter. Sometimes frivolous items are
important!
Esther’s
story is so full of drama with twists and turns that it is easy to get
mesmerized and forget the point. What is
the point? Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:6 and 11 (KJV)
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things …Now all these things happened unto them for examples:
and they are written for our admonition…
Illustrations
and stories are tangible, imaginable, and relatable. They are invaluable for helping us land on
the point, immediately, later or even much later.
I remember
the points made by the puppy training and the pink shoes. I can’t remember what I wanted to communicate
with the illustration of the dirty socks. However, on the eve of our 43rd
wedding anniversary, I think I could come up with an even better point.
