day 1277: Cyber Strength!

"Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him."

Yesterday appears to be a day of cyber wow!  Early reports are saying that Cyber Monday shopping topped $2B in sales, achieving a 17.5% increase over last year.  For those not used to keeping score, that is a huge year over year gain.  Without a doubt we have crossed over the online hurdles and even with sales tax being collected in most states, and no Amazon drones delivering our packages yet, we are firmly okay with search, buy, and wait.  Traditional retailers were scratching their heads after the lackluster days on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, but when they add it all up, it might just be okay. That is, unless Amazon took the biggest bite from the apple.  I know anyone reading this has already accepted that online is the future, now the question is how that future unfolds.  On this post Cyber-Monday Tuesday, I'd be thinking now about what we can do for next year to further engage and ready our consumers for next year so that we are their first choice.  To do that, we have to go well beyond the lowest price or the the most extensive choices.  We have to create (and yes this will feel so 1999) "community" that brings them back over and over.

If in the retailing world we are content to search, buy and wait, why aren't we just as satisfied with this approach in our spiritual lives?  God gives us the opportunity to search (His Word, prayer, church, fellowship); we have life's most frictionless way to buy into His message - by just accepting Him; and as we wait on His deliverance of His promises and answers to our prayers, we grow and develop in Him.  But, for some reason, we won't accept this approach and we stop searching, we deny Him with our actions and words in front of others, and when we have to wait, we give up on Him and begin searching for some other answers.  Think about it and consider where you are standing today?  If you have given up the search, are questioning your buy-in, or tired of the wait, then today would be the day to reevaluate and return to Him with all honesty and openness asking God to refill and rejuvenate your faith.  He will as he is the greatest at fulfillment!

Reference:  1 Chronicles 16:11 (New Living Translation)