A few years ago, my husband and I decided that if I wanted to join an MLM, it was worth a try. There are several MLM (multi-level marketing, also called direct sales) companies out there because it’s a popular marketing strategy, and the freedom it gives families who succeed within it is inspiring, so why not try? Plexus, Modere, Seint Makeup, Norwex, Mary Kay, Young Living Essential Oils, Doterra, and Pampered Chef are a few MLMs either me or my friends have used. I loved and used essential oils for several years at this point, so after a lot of research, I went with Young Living. The two years I spent in the company were really fun. I met new friends, changed our lifestyle to a more natural one, and learned so much.
As I shared about these products, I realized the Lord was using the practice of talking about essential oils to embolden me in my walk with Him and how I shared the gospel. (The Lord really can use all things for His glory!)
What is the gospel?
The word “gospel” in Greek means “good tidings,” aka “good news.” The gospel of Christ is the story of the “birth, life, actions, death, resurrection, ascension and doctrines of Jesus Christ.” It truly was the best news I’d ever heard – that a girl like me could be at peace with God Himself.
The first thing I learned was that even if people make fun of you, if you believe in something it doesn’t matter.
I was not naive to the probability of eye rolls or jokes whenever I started to talk about essential oils. Did it make me nervous? Absolutely. But I had experienced first hand how peppermint oil supported headache relief and replacing Bath and Body Works soaps and candles with low-toxin products changed the frequency of my headaches from daily to occasional. Because I knew the change in my own life, I was unswayed by public opinion. “This stuff works,” I could proclaim, because I knew it to be true.
I know the gospel of Jesus to be true, too. I am not a very good evangelist, but I know how Jesus has taken a sassy, self-righteous, chained-by-legalism girl and set her free from that bondage to a life of peace and joy. No matter what anyone else says, I cannot be convinced anything is better than the abundant life I have in Christ. A life that is only made possible by the gospel. Because of that knowledge, I try to share Him with everyone I meet, whether by actions or by conversation.
Community is crucial.
Whenever I shared in my Instagram stories about essential oils, friends I’d made in Facebook groups would DM encouragement. If I made an Instagram feed post, those same sweet souls would comment. It didn’t matter if other people thought I was ridiculous or even wrong; I knew there were many other women out there doing the same thing I was – making small changes towards a different way of life.
Church should be the same way.
In the church community, we are united by the gospel of Christ. His authority, His salvation, His joy. We might share different convictions, we are created with different personalities, we have all learned different things as we journey through life. But Christians have Jesus. Christians should be the first to encourage other believers when they see others obeying Him. When we feel like the world is against us (because it is), we should be comforted by the host of support we have in our brothers and sisters in Christ, who are taking a stand for the same beliefs.
You are capable of consistency.
From the time I joined Young Living till two years later when I left the company, I shared at least weekly about essential oils. I had always thought that I had a hard time being consistent, but I proved to myself that I could be imperfectly consistent.
Perhaps imperfect consistency is more important than we think. Reading the Bible regularly, showing up for church on Sunday mornings, praying every morning while we drive to work or fold clothes, sharing the gospel with someone else. The small steps we make, even if it’s just a few times a week, add up over time. It’s really the small things done over and over again that changes everything.
The gospel won’t be stopped.
As I shared regularly about essential oils, I valued even more sharing what Jesus has done in my life, and hearing about what He’s done in other people’s lives. The gospel is such good news that nothing can stop it, although many have tried. From the first time Jesus was prophesied about in Genesis, throughout persecution, wars, family conflict, and even now, the story of Jesus is good news, and there will always be a remnant sharing Him.
I aim to forever be among them.
With grit and grace,
Whitney