One of the most difficult appointments I had to do in business was to appoint reps. Those guys who have to go out into the world to sell your product. They must be hugely excited about your product so that they can persuade others to be just as excited and buy your product.

It is crucial for the rep to believe in the product he or she is selling, because if they do not believe in it with their heart and soul, they cannot be excited about it and it will be really difficult to sell the products to someone else.

If you think about it, you really want a second you, because who is more excited about your product than yourself? I still remember how excited our products made me. If some asked me something about it, I would happily tell them in detail about the whole history of the product, where it came from, why it was so much better than our closest competitor, how many prizes and certificates it has won already, and if the listener gave me half a chance, I would include the story of how I put my finger in the expensive German machine and nearly lost it.

One would have to look far to find someone that’s as passionate about your products, your business and your people, as yourself.

Paul was also looking for someone like that. Due to unforeseen circumstances, he couldn’t travel to Thessalonica. He longed to visit the young Christians again. They were going through hard times and he knew that they needed someone to encourage and support them. He tried really hard, but simply could not find the time to get to them.

While trying to find someone to go and represent himself there with them, in other words, to be his rep, Timothy’s name popped into his head. Paul says: ^1-2So when we couldn’t stand being separated from you any longer and could find no way to visit you ourselves, we stayed in Athens and sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering you on so you wouldn’t be discouraged by these hard times. He’s a brother and companion in the faith, God’s man in spreading the Message, preaching Christ.

Yes, let’s send Timothy! He is focused on the things of God. Like Paul, he was fired up to get God’s message of salvation to the people. He could not bear it that people would go straight to hell while Jesus’ message of salvation was available to everybody for free.

Timothy is certainly the best rep for the job. Timothy was not attracted by a huge salary with a multitude of benefits. For him, it was unnecessary to earn an enormous commission and there was no need for any check point Charlies to be included to ensure that he didn’t spend his days lounging around in coffee shops. Nothing could prevent him from carrying out the task on Paul’s behalf.

Today, nothing has changed. There are still hordes of people that desperately need Christ’s good news. So many who are blindly hurtling towards death.

God’s world today still needs reps. The search is still on for people with a heart for the lost and who can go to people who are lost on Jesus’ behalf, with the only product ever that saves. And best of all, you don’t have to pay a cent for it – it is completely free.

Are you prepared to put up your hand like Timothy and say: Here I am! I will be God’s rep in the world?

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Reflection

Are you prepared to be God’s rep in the world?

Where can you start?

Prayer

Our Father, I know you’ve been talking to me about this post that has to be filled. I know that You are calling me to fill it, but I must confess I’m afraid to do it. I don’t know what to say. Please show me what to do and where to go. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.