February 7, 2024

I think that we have crossed the line on surveys. If you go to the bank, you get an email asking you to rate your “experience” at the bank. If you stop and get a bagel, or coffee, or pick up some wood at Home Depot, or Ace Hardware, you can expect a receipt enticing you to go on-line, fill out a short survey for a drawing or prize of sorts. Then you are asked your opinion on everything from ambiance, to, were you greeted at the door, did someone call you by name, was the staff friendly, knowledgeable, appear to be interested in your cat, comment on your recent tattoo, how likely are you to return tomorrow, the next day, the next day, next week, month, year, decade, recommend to friends, only your mother-in-law, and then…are you willing to give a 5-star review on Yelp, Google, and Facebook. Oh, and don’t forget, what is your age, income range, education level, occupation, gender (at least the one you have today), favorite TV show, music genre, marital status and Social Security. And to think, you just wanted a bagel.

But surveys rule, don’t they? If the product you are researching does not have 10k+, 5-star ratings, then you probably won’t buy it. The workers at your bagel store or coffee shop won’t get a bonus if they don’t get enough positive reviews. The business that you like will get buried on Google unless enough people keep giving it the thumbs-up. So, whether or not, something is really a 5-star or is really all that great, there is a sense of responsibility that is thrust upon the customer to do their part to ensure the happiness and sustainability of the business. All it takes is one negative review on-line to tarnish the reputation of the business and there are plenty of people who are willing to wield that hammer.

For the past several weeks, our study in Luke has focused on John the Baptist and his short but enormously important ministry. Imagine if John the Baptist’s disciples handed out QR codes linked to a survey to the crowds that came to hear him. Please rate from 1-5 the following, John’s latest outfit, hair style, diet, sermon content, sermon length, volume, meaningful illustrations, gestures, feel good factor, food choices from local vendors, adequate restroom facilities, worth your trip, how likely are you to return, how likely to recommend to your mother-in-law, etc. Why is that so absurd?

John did not start his ministry with his audience in mind. He started preaching because the Word of the Lord came to John. John’s ministry was driven by God’s Word. It was formed and informed by God. There were many who did not like what John said, but that is the point. Surveys assume that we know what we want. When it comes to God, we think we know what we want, but do not know what we need. Therefore, God sent John and then Christ to tell us what we needed to hear, knowing that only some would actually embrace it. If John tailored his words to what his audience wanted to hear, we would know nothing of him today. Those who live to be the hottest thing now, sometimes achieve that, but that’s all they achieve. We are called to and focus on that which is enduring and we won’t do that by being enslaved to popular opinion.

Imagine if the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3 each had Google or Yelp reviews. I suspect that there would be a significant contrast between those reviews and God’s. In fact, imagine if the world rated Jesus on Google. Actually, we don’t have to imagine, we know. He was crucified. So much for trusting the surveys. Dying to self may not be popular, but it is the only way to live - forever.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Sunday’s text: Luke 3:21-22