It's the Soda Talking

I really love the "Share a Coke" campaign.  For me, scouring (for a few minutes) through a tower or bin of bottles is so satisfying.  It is not about finding my name.  I enjoy spotting those of friends and family, and even get a kick out of seeing a 'Pierre' or 'Raul' in our little town in western PA.  Have you seen a few snapshots here or there of someone and "their" bottle?  The other day I came across 'Kathryn' and had to buy it.  You see, that was my maternal grandmother's name.  So now, my mission is to find my other grandparents' names.  I don't even know why.  Good luck trying to find 'Velma', 'Guy', and 'Ralph', right?

I am intrigued with this marketing strategy so I looked it up.  Coke has this to say on their site:

“Share a Coke gave the brand a new way to do something we’ve done for almost 129 years: connect people… our bottles and cans became a special part of people’s most memorable moments last year. Whether they were hanging out with friends, with their family on vacation or at a wedding, they personalized these moments and made them even more special with Coca-Cola.”

Two words got me: connect people.  Isn't that God's vision, too?  He wants those who are found in Him to connect with everyone: his found children AND his lost children.  Jesus modeled it so well.  Luke 19 documents the day Jesus came into a town, and wanted to have dinner with Zaccheus.  This Zaccheus was no angel, no holy-roller.  He stole tax money from the citizens to make himself rich.  He was rather despised and despicable. Jesus loved him anyway.  He wanted to connect with him.  He wanted others to see this connection! It was unlikely, unexpected, but Jesus embraced the opportunity and had some dinner at his house.

Then there was the time when some doubted Jesus' sovereignty when he allowed a prostitute to pour perfume onto his feet in the midst of a meal at a Pharisee's house.  He set them right when he told them that she was doing the very things that THEY should have been doing.  Her faith saved her from her sins (He told her so)... & just like that- Jesus connected with another lowly sinner, showing the so-called 'godly' folk how to be in His presence.

So in reality, I am positive that even Christ would endorse the "Share A Coke" campaign, too.  In fact, that is His mission for us...(could it be that Coca-Cola borrowed this marketing strategy?).  He invites you to share a Coke, a coffee, a dessert, a whatever, and spend time with others for the sake of His kingdom.  Encourage and share.  Laugh, converse, pray, and CONNECT.  Who needs or deserves your time? It may be unexpected.  But it will be so worth it.


"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."  Hebrews10:24-25

"Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality."  Romans 12:13