Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Attention-Getting Baristas



I guess it was just a matter of time. In a world where millions of dollars is spent for a 30 second commercial spot during the Super Bowl, the question for all who market a product or service is, “How do I get attention?”

Seattle is arguably the coffee capital of the world. In most areas around here you’ll find coffee shops and stands on virtually every corner. A caffeine addict has many choices about where to buy their “cup of Joe”.

Some baristas put out a-board signs advertising, “free double-shot” today or “free flavor” today in order to draw you to their stand. Now, according to the Seattle Times, “Some Coffee Stands Get Steamier”. The story’s opening line reads, “In a short, sheer, baby-doll negligee, Candice Law is dressed to work at a drive-through espresso stand.”

As I said, I guess it was just a matter of time. Marketers use sex to sell cars, toothpaste and hamburgers. Now it’s coffee’s turn. “Customers pull their trucks up to the window, where Law greets each with an affectionate nickname, blows kisses, and vamps around as she steams milk for a mocha.” One coffee stand owner confessed that the tips are better when the skirts are shorter.

The story reminded me that many of us seek to get attention and we use a variety of means to get others to notice us. Attention somehow validates us and gives us a sense that we matter.

God one time told a young man named Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” (Jeremiah 1:5) In the New Testament Jesus comments that our Heavenly Father knows when a sparrow falls to the ground and that you mean much more to Him than a sparrow. God knows you so well He even has the hairs upon your head numbered (Matthew 10:29-31).


Friend, you don’t have to use your sexuality, intelligence, prosperity, accomplishments or anything else to be noticed by God. He knows your name, your heart, your dreams and your failings. Still, He loves you so much He daily pursues you in order to have a relationship with you. An old Psalmist counseled, “Cease striving and know God.” (Psalm 46:10).

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Today was one of those days where I needed to fill my own bucket a little. So I settled in to read your column and then to listen to some music - one of my favorite pastimes. I was listening to the song "Walking Her Home" by Mark Schultz. If you haven't heard this it is the story of a man and how he loves the woman in his life. Throughout their life together they experience trials and joys and he describes his support of her as "walking her home" just like he did on their first date. I won't ruin it by telling you how it ends but it struck me that how Jesus loves me. There is nothing I can do to attract more attention from him. To try to do more works or gain glory in other ways is futile. He wants me just for who I am - and he wants the not so good parts too. I love walking with Jesus. But I especially love that he wants to walk with me.

Scott Brewer said...

Jill:

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts/reflections. I feel very blessed that I live close enough to your life that I know your words are not just pious musings but that they truly describe what's going on in your relationship with our Savior.