You have chosen some amazing ways to speak to humanity, Lord.
A burning bush that was not consumed.
A fleece made wet with dew, while the surrounding ground was dry.
A talking donkey.
An entire sea parting to deliver Your people from certain death.
Yesterday, You spoke to me in a much less dramatic — but no less uncertain — way.
Through a laundry detergent commercial.
Ever since my years leading consumer products businesses, I can’t help but look differently at product packaging or advertising. Evaluating the effectiveness of the Message and the Medium. Considering how they build product name recognition and trust.
Maybe that’s why this particular commercial hit me. ALL Detergent. Seeking to convince consumers that it can out-clean all of its competitors. Their slogan succinctly captures both their name and their product promise in a clever statement with two meanings.
“Give us your worst, and we’ll give you our ALL.”
Brilliant! And memorable! Throw your worst dirt and grime at us and we will do ALL we can to clean you up! Of course we will! How could you doubt?! Look at our name: ALL! It’s what we’re known for! What we’re made for!
Then I realized… There weren’t just two meanings. There were three. Because You were speaking, Lord. With significance that went way beyond product sales… all the way to Eternity!
“If we walk in the Light as He is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from ALL sin.” (1 John 1:7)
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from ALL unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
You gave us Your ALL at Calvary… so we could give You our worst. Once… for all time.
“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” (Hebrews 9:7-28)
It’s what You’re known for, Lord. And You are One-of-a-Kind.
With ALL my love… 🙂
Abba’s Girl