Christian retailers who partner with Operation Christmas Child (OCC) in its shoebox distribution got quite the treat Monday evening. Not only did they get to hear some powerful music from Cana’s Gift and inspirational teaching from Southeast Christian Church Pastor Kyle Idleman, but they also heard a testimony of a young woman who received a Christmas shoebox as a child in the Middle East. She grew up and eventually God led her to the U.S. where she found herself, unexpectedly, volunteering with a church to pack shoeboxes. She now works with Operation Christmas Child full time, and her life has come full circle. She shared how God led her family out of their village just before terrorists destroyed it.

When Idleman, author of Not a Fan and his latest book, Don’t Give Up, spoke, he thanked her for sharing her story, as it gives perspective on the tough times Christian retailers may face from day to day. Idleman sees stores as a “sanctuary for people” and encouraged retailers to persevere like Noah and Abraham did.

“The most spiritual thing you can do sometimes is don’t quit,” he said.

Looking to Hebrews 11-12, he said, when discouraged, people need some inspiration, accountability and perspective. He urged retailers to eliminate “anything that weighs us down” with, he believes, the most common weight being anxiety.

Jesus endured opposition, so we must fix our eyes on Him, Idleman said, “because Jesus is better” than life's challenges and struggles. Idleman asked the audience to call out things Jesus was better than, and many things were mentioned, including vacations, Amazon and Walmart, social status, shopping, marriage and family, food, Facebook and “my plans.”

Our confidence, Idleman said, “comes from the truth that Jesus is the best.”

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