I remember my first job interview at the age of 25. This wasn’t my first job, but it was my first ever formal job interview with a suit and a resume. I was leaving the Army, six months pregnant with baby number three, and incredibly nervous.
Someone taught me about the Elevator Pitch. How could I convey in about 30 seconds who I was, what I had done, and why I was right for the job? The concept being that if I only had that long to speak, what would I say? If they would make a snap decision about me in the first 30 seconds what would that decision be based on?
So, I practiced, and man did I practice. It wasn’t easy to learn how to list qualifications without bragging and customize them to match the position. I wrote it down, said it in front of the mirror, and tried it on a few friends. I even gave it at the interviews a few times, breathless, while I tried to pretend it wasn’t rehearsed.
It occurs to me that I should have an Elevator Pitch about Jesus. He’s the right Man for any job and He is always looking for new work. What would I say if I only had 30 seconds to represent who Jesus is, what He has done, and what He wants to do for the person in front of me?
I think most evangelism needs plenty of time, relationship, and patience but Peter reminds us to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) Preparation is the key word. If we haven’t thought it through and practiced, what will we do when our only chance to witness is on an elevator? What if you are the only Christian that person will ever speak to, and you don’t have long? This is a real possibility for many right here in America and all around the world.
I would definitely want to say that Jesus loves them. That He died for them to save them from an eternity of pain and separation from God. I would want them to know that this gift was free and available to anyone who wants it. I serve an extravagant God and He doesn’t do things halfway.
I would want them to know that God was there in the elevator with us. That He had planned them since before the dawn of time. He had made sure that we were in the elevator at the same time because He loved them so much that He wanted to make sure they had a chance to know about Him. I would ask if they ever noticed the stars in the sky or the mountains and oceans. That God had made all those things and that He made them so that they would know that He existed.
Then I would hit the love again. Jesus loves them. I know this because He told me so! He told me in His book, and He tells me that He loves me often in other ways too. I would tell them that everything they desire is in one place, one relationship.
What a ride in the elevator! The introverts reading this are probably sweating just thinking about being stuck in an elevator with me, and you are right! It would be pretty intense, but it’s just a metaphor. This conversation can happen anywhere over any amount of time, but I don’t want to miss the chance if I only have 30 seconds and God prompts me.
I need to write down some ideas and practice them in front of the mirror. How to list Jesus’s qualifications and His desire for the job. I can speak about my experience with Him and distill all that I have learned about Him and from Him. I can mention the healing that I have received from Him and the purpose He returns to all of us in relationship with Him.
He loves you, He died for you, and He wants to be your friend. You are reading this because He has a great plan for your life and wants to draw you closer. He made the sun, stars, planets, grass, trees, rivers, and animals all for you, and He made you for Him. That’s why you are hurting or searching right now because you are throwing your identity and purpose into things that aren’t Him. He can and will heal everything that is hurting. He wants to give you eternal life. He loves you and the only thing you must do is call on His name. His name is Jesus.
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Mark 16:15
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