So Much Better

The other day we were watching an episode of the Dick Van Dyke Show on Netflix.  The story had come to an end, but then we were back.  Rob and Laura were in their kitchen talking about the virtues of Joy dish washing soap.  It was a commercial set on the stage of their show where they played their same characters.  Now product placement is really common in TV and movies, the jarring thing about this is was how it wasn't even subtle.

Over the years we as consumers have gotten better at filtering out the ads, so the advertisers have gotten better at getting them in there.  Today it wouldn't be so blatant.  The dish soap would be sitting on the counter without comment and we would make that association on our own.  Of course some shows still put it in.  On Survivor they have a challenge where they fix up their camp using supplies provided by Home Depot.  Or on the Amazing Race they don't just drive a car, they drive the new Ford Taurus with foot activated lift gate.

We need to give credit where credit is due.  Advertisers are good.  The way that we consume media is constantly changing and their techniques change with it.  With VCRs and DVRs we begin fast forwarding through commercials, so they reformat the commercials so that at least some of the message shines through as we fast forward.  I notice that if I look up something on line there is inevitably an add for it the next time that I'm on facebook.  Probably just a coincidence.  

All of this advertising has one thing in common, it is always selling the idea that our lives would be so much better "IF" and then they fill in the blank. 

IF we drove that car,

IF we had that phone.

IF we wore those clothes.

IF.  IF.  IF.

Advertising plays on the idea that there is something missing in our lives and material things can fill that hole.  So we look around us and we see things to buy or things to build or things that our neighbors have, and we say to ourselves that if we only had that too, our lives would be so much better.  

This has been a problem in the human race for thousands of years.  So much so that of the Ten Commandments, two directly talk about it.  In the Ten Commandments, God tells us to make no idols and to not covet.  God tells us that if we want to fill the hole it will not happen by worshiping the things of this world and the things that your neighbor has won's work any better than yours.  No the the hole will only be filled by being in a relationship with God.

Watch this video from Pastor Chris.

Each of us comes with a God sized hole.  We can try to fill it with the things of this world, but it will never work.  The only answer is allowing God in.