Internet advertising has become big business, despite the short-lived nature of the tiny on-screen ads. If I open my email, there on the right is a mini-box promoting a subject such as financial investments, college degrees, or dating. When I click to open one of my email messages, that ad disappears and another takes its place. If I click the “back” button, a different ad appears. I can click, click, click, and every single time the ad-box will refill with as many new ads.

If I never read them, which I don’t, advertising money has been wasted. However, if you asked me to recite what the ads were for, I could probably list their contents, so maybe I’ve been looking after all.

Some of the little ads are downright captivating with their bright colors and wild animation, and almost all make demands for my attention. Ad creators are hoping I’ll move my mouse in their direction for one curious click, which will put them one step closer to making money on their investment.

Every company has an advertising department to which a sizable portion of their budget is allocated. Artists, animators, techs, marketers, publicists, and others are all on the payroll, practicing the sophisticated science of persuasion.

On the matter of persuasion but on a different topic, how much effort/time/creativity/money do I allocate to advertising my Christian faith? Do I dedicate myself to that pursuit as enthusiastically as business dedicates itself to advertising its product or service?

The weightier question is, if not, why not?

Maybe I tell myself I’m just one person among millions, so my “ad” would be too small to make any difference. Or maybe I hide behind the excuse that my miniature statement of faith couldn’t possibly catch anyone’s attention because most people already have too much on their minds. In the past I’ve even abdicated my responsibility to speak up on spiritual matters because I knew I didn’t have the gift of evangelism.

Now I see how even brief encounters can be opportunities to share the importance of my relationship with God. The size of it doesn’t matter, because when I speak up for him, he moves in and puts supernatural power behind it in whatever way he chooses. It’s his touch, then, that gives my tiny “ads” a possible impact.

This internet space is, in a way, a small “ad” for him, and I’m always hoping he’ll bring his larger-than-life influence into its few words. And thankfully, even as life click-click-clicks along, the ad message of the Gospel always stays the same.

“Let your light shine before others.” (Matthew 5:16)