Perceptions #200408

"A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words"

by Jerry Hodge

In 1942 a visionary named Walt Disney brought to the public a full-length movie called Bambi. It was a tale of a deer from the deer's perspective. A yearling sees his mother gunned down by a hunter. The year before the animated film was produced; deer hunting in the United States was a $9.5 million business. The following year, hunter's spent only $4.1 million on tags permits and hunting trips.

Powerful speakers are able to move their audience when they capture a thought in picture. Ronald Reagan told a story and called us to "win one for the Gipper." Advertisers try to brand their product with a picture. You've heard, "Like a rock," "Like a good neighbor," You're in good hands," and "We'll leave the light on." Samsonite luggage made a hit when they showed that gorillas could not destroy their suitcase. However, when they showed the suitcase fall from the plane and survive, many travelers decided they did not want their luggage to survive - if they didn't. Sales actually went down after the commercial.

The Bible is full of pictures for us to see. The most familiar Psalms show us that God is our shepherd. What a wonderful picture. These words of hope have repeated on the deck of the Titanic, front lines of fighting, in a space capsule orbiting the moon and at the rubble of two massive towers. In a word picture about the love of God, Jesus told a story about a prodigal son and his older brother. To teach the love for a neighbor he told us about a Good Samaritan.

Our world is in need of change. They need to hear the truth. One thing we can do to help them hear is to first let them see the truth. Give them a picture. Paul told the Philippians; "Whatever you have heard from me or seen in me, put into practice." Let them see what Jesus would be- if He were me. A picture is worth a thousand words.

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