For the five years I was on television, for every recipe you saw me make on TV, that actual recipe had been prepared three times (at least) for the actual shoot. We learned that viewers tend to respond better, to visualization. In other words, if they could see everything that goes into what I am making, they can picture themselves doing it, as well.
So without having too much clutter for the shot, first I tried to go over the ingredients, as best and as quickly as I could. Second time with the recipe is the actual making/cooking of the dish or drink. This is where the learning for the viewer comes; from watching what I actually do. Third time for the shoot’s recipe is the actual finished product.
It goes without saying, there were many times of testing a recipe before I brought it to TV.
Do you think people most remembered what I told them, or what I showed them? Yes, the segments went from TV to the internet and people could see it all again, online, as well as read and print the actual recipe. But from the “TV” part, itself … people remembered what I showed them, more than what I said.
For example, if I said, “you have to keep stirring this mixture for it to become a roux,” but just stood there looking at the camera, that might not make the viewer want to make this recipe, at home.
However, if I showed them how easy it is to make a roux into a creamy, smooth sauce by whisking the ingredients and slowly stirring the liquid into the paste, the viewer saw how easily this can be done, and they are more likely to make the recipe for themselves.
Our lives as Christians become like a cooking show. People who are not believers might hear us say all of the ingredients we need to live a life for Jesus; we need to spend time in prayer, we need to spend time reading the Bible, we need to be listening to wise counsel, we need to be loving others well and serving and giving. But if they do not watch us put those ingredients into action, why would they want to “make the dish/recipe” and live a life for Jesus?
Are we showing them, through our actions, how to be a true lover of Jesus? Or are we just telling them we are? Because we all know saying and doing are two completely different things.
“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8 (NLT)
We are to do what is right. To love mercy. To walk humbly with our God. People will be able to tell we are Christians if we reflect Jesus. People will tilt their heads sideways and wonder about us, however, if we reflect the cruel, mean, unkindness of this world.
“Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.” - Colossians 1:10 (NLT)
People are watching us. They want to see how lovers of Jesus handle life. The way we live is supposed to always honor and please the Lord, and our lives will produce every kind of good fruit. Let’s make sure we do this right. The finished product needs to be a reflection of God’s love, not our quick, sarcastic and selfish desire to be right or win arguments and debates.
Our life is a show … let’s not fail those who are watching and make them want to change the channel. Let’s make them want to watch and learn more.