Let’s try a little self-test, though it might seem to be nit-picking. Step back and look at every book you’ve chosen recently, every podcast/TV teacher’s messages you’ve admired, thought-a-day card packs you’ve bought, daily devotionals you’ve considered. Trying to be objective (and a wee bit strict), how would you classify your choices? Are they about following the Lord more closely, standing strong in him, boldly leading others to him? Or are they about trying to get what I want, “succeed,” find spiritual secrets, be soothed, or invoke some sort of exotic religious experience?
Here are actual titles I noticed on Christian thought-a-day cards and devotionals:
- You’re Already Amazing
- Sweet Tea for the Soul
- You’ll Get Through This
- You’re Going to Be Okay
- The Beach Is Calling
- The Campfire Is Calling
- Biscuits, Butter and Blessings
Now those could be perfectly solid, spiritually (though the few random spots I glanced at struck me as sweet soothing). This self-test is merely to evaluate what initially grabs us—and why. Remember, publishers choose the cover/title/content that gets attention, based on what they’ve documented that people are buying. What sells, sells more. Just looking on the surface, why would the above titles likely jump out to customers?
I found items of a similar nature in a bookstore (in a general area, not a religion section):
- positive affirmation cards; one card said, “I love myself.”
- power thoughts
- tarot-like cards
- “oracle” cards; some of that type connect “imagination and spirituality.”
- yes/no cards; one product said to use these to “create a positive belief system.”
- karma cards; these were related to astrology signs. The marketing blurb said they help you “meet yourself.” (Meet myself? I couldn’t help recalling a line from an old sitcom, when the guy said, “I’m with myself almost constantly”!)
Then I stopped at the public library. The feature section was about our relationship with the cosmos. Book titles included:
- Magical Self-Care for Everyday Life
- Attunement: Align with Your Source, Become Your Creator Self, and Manifest a Life You Love
- The Unfiltered Enneagram: A Witty and Wise Guide to Self-Compassion
- Astronomical Mindfulness: Your Cosmic Guide to Reconnecting with the Sun…
Looking online at some of those, disappointed readers had written telling reviews. For example, “Was hoping this would change my life, but…” And “I’m always… curious to see if there’s anything new out there… [but] you can skip this book.” So obviously, people are looking for answers to questions hinted at by the titles/marketing.
Several years ago a conservative Christian magazine published the must-read lists that several church leaders had submitted. A number of those books’ writers leaned into mantra meditation, a low view of Scripture, and more. I wrote a letter to the editor. Someone else’s critical letter said he found it odd that no one named the Bible itself as a must-read. Oh, but surely that would go without saying, wouldn’t it? As it turns out, maybe not, huh.
Could it be that our dissatisfaction, our wanting “more,” is ultimately because of where we’re looking for answers and satisfaction? Could it be that we’re not spending enough time hearing from the Lord in his Word—and then living and acting on that? Several little devotionals promise that not much time is needed to get your dose of God for the day: just five minutes, three minutes, one minute. One minute. I cringe to realize that I spend more time than that changing the toilet paper roll.
This “What’s Up with Stoicism?” post has a bit more on being enticed by marketing claims.
