I wrote this column for a newspaper. It appeared on July 31, 2008.
Let’s say I had this absolutely delicious cherry pie. I had eaten a piece and it was so incredibly wonderful that I just knew that anybody else who tasted this pie would experience the same euphoria that I did.
So, I say to my friend, “Hey, try some of this pie. It’s unbelievably tasty. It’s the best pie I’ve ever had. I just know you’re going to love it, too.”
My friend is also somewhat of a cherry pie enthusiast. And knowing that I am a cherry pie freak (in a good way), he has complete confidence that I know my pies left and right.
Therefore, he accepts my offer and takes a nibble. He is immediately flabbergasted at its sweet cherry goodness and flaky crust, thanks me profusely and asks for more.
Not only do I give him more, but I also give him the recipe so he can make some for himself. That way, he can make the pie himself and share with others, too.
Unlike my friend, there are people who may be a bit skeptical of my pie-making skills and knowledge of such delicacies. Or perhaps they tasted some poorly made cherry pie once that made them nauseous. They are afraid that this pie will be just like that one. They may be quite hesitant to try any.
But, I just know they’ll be flipping head over heels if they taste this one. After all, I have experienced all the wonderful feelings associated with eating this pie. I know what it did for me. And I also see how it was such a positive experience for my friend.
Therefore, I add a few more reasons for these unsure folks to try it.
“That previous cherry pie could have been made by someone not well versed in preparing cherry pie. They may have made fatal errors in the creation process or used poor quality ingredients,” I may say before adding, “This particular pie was made from only the freshest of cherries, delicately hand picked at the height of tastiness. So they are guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds.”
And for the clincher:
“Cherries are a good source of Vitamins A and C and potassium, plus they have a number of anti-oxidants,” I may remind these folks. “So, in addition to being the most scrumptious pie you’ll ever have, it’s also very, very good for you.”
This reasoning may persuade some folks to go ahead and try some. Others may stick to what is comfortable for them.
“I’ve had no cherry pie since the cherry pie incident of ‘78 and I have no desire for cherry pie. Even though you make a good argument for trying this pie you made, and I am sure that this cherry pie gives you warm and fuzzy feelings all over when you eat it, I do not feel that I shall eat it,” they may say, sort of like what I say about liver except that nobody has tried to convince me to eat that since my parents made me.
Even though some of these people did not try the pie, they are not upset that I have tried to introduce it to them. They are confident that the pie has been good for me and for many others. It perhaps is not for them … at least not at this time.
There is yet another group of people, though: the anti-cherry pie league. They get ornery anytime someone mentions cherry pie. And they don’t much like rhubarb, peach or pecan neither. When they see a picture of cherry pie in a magazine, they cross it out with a black permanent marker.
And anybody who dares tout the goodness of cherry pie? Woe be to that person.
If I were to try to tell them the good pie news, they may very well reply with a grumble and a snort and growl this retort: “You cherry pie freaks are all alike. All you want to do is make people eat cherry pie. Well, I don’t like cherry pie! And I don’t like you and your kind. Cake rules; pie drools. Don’t bother me, you cherry pie freak!”
Then, they turn their back on me and walk away.
How can this be? How can they think cherry pie is no good for anybody?
I mean, this is the best cherry pie ever, even better than Rachel Ray can make. And surely, they will derive pleasure from it. I know I did. And I know many others who have. If only they would just take one little bite.
Should I continue making a case for this pie? They already feel I am a nuisance.
Should I follow them and shove the pie in their face and force them to eat some?
Will forcing someone to do something against their will can cause anything good to happen?
God gives all free will. We make our own choices.
It is unfortunate, I think, that they will not enjoy this pie. However, I can’t make them try it. And if I try to make them, they will probably become even more bitter and angry toward any future pie man they may meet.
I could try to shame or guilt them into eating pie.
“You anti-cherry pie people should be ashamed of yourselves for not trying cherry pie!” I yell at them “This cherry pie is the only good thing to eat in this whole town. All other pies cower in its presence. And your children will suffer horrendous things if you do not eat this pie!
“So there, take that.”
Will this convince them to try some?
When I was in college, we had a preacher come to our quad a few times. Brother Jed would hold a Bible in his hands and pretty much insult everyone he saw, using some interesting words I won’t print here, telling them they were going to Hell because they were all sinners.
After watching one young lady unsuccessfully try to convince him that this was not the way to accomplish his goal, I just walked away.
How successful do you think Brother Jed was in persuading people to try the version of cherry pie he was sharing?
How many simply got a bad taste in their mouths?
Brother Jed knew what he was supposed to do. He just didn’t understand how he was supposed to do it.
He had been instructed to go out and spread the good news of Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)
The problem was that either Jed had not been properly instructed in how to do this, chose to ignore how to do this or was just struggling with doing it.
Brother Jed would have been wise to keep another Bible verse in mind while trying to save us sinners.
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV).
The key part of that verse is “with gentleness and respect.” That’s the “how.”
If Christians want others to listen to their message, we need to make sure we do it in a Christian way.
