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)

day 779: Cyber Monday

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it.

Today is "Cyber Monday". This is a term that is not that old. It started in the 2000's as e-commerce sites became popular as shopping destinations on the Monday after Black Friday. Black Friday actually has a meaning. This is the day that many bricks and mortar retailers turn profitable in their fiscal year. Cyber Monday doesn't have that level of significance as it is really a day for the digital retailing world to show off their stuff and have a big day. I have no idea what it means to productivity in the workforce today, but it is a big day that anyone who sells online has been gearing up and preparing for. That is the case for all of our businesses. We each have a big day, or a big season, when we show off our stuff and we have to be at the top of our game. That level of preparation and gearing up is important to us as it sharpens and makes us better each year. If your business doesn't have a time like this, then it's worth thinking about how to create that level of focus, attention, and hype. Everyone is at their best at this time and it brings out the best in the organization and people. We all look forward to a time to rally and put ourselves out there. For many, that is today and this holiday season as the rest of this calendar/fiscal year unfolds.

Each and every day we are asked to "show our stuff" and be at our best. God challenges us in all aspects of our life to be at our best and to bring glory to Him in all that we do. During our own busy and peak seasons it can be hard to remember that that these are also the best times to be focused and cognizant of the example that we are living for Christ. When everyone else is stressed and at their breaking points, if we can be a role model for patience, gentleness, kindness, peacefulness, joy, etc. then the fruits of His spirit will be contagious. Others are looking to see His workmanship in you. Can you make today, and this busy season the time when He shines through?

Reference; Psalm 139:14 (New Living Testament)