Book Covers Sell Books

People say,  Don’t judge a book by its cover?  But people look at book covers and covers sell books. We only have so much time to look at books, and the cover is what gets our attention. In reality we DO judge a book by its cover and the book’s author too.

A book cover makes a promise about what you will find when you open the book.  It tells you a little about the book, a sneak preview.  It is the definition of “first impression.”  And it is meant to be that.  When you walk through a book store, you pick up a book, and look at it. You may browse through it but only if the cover has caught your attention and kept your attention.   When is the last time you looked inside a book after the cover completely turned you off or offended you? Maybe the book is one you will completely enjoy, but the cover must draw you in first. 

Your image works the same.

What people see about you, your first impression, your image is like the book cover to your personal life. Your first impression literally makes a mental image. Your image makes a silent promise about who you are and what people can count on when they get to know you.  Or your image turns people away without giving them the opportunity to get to know the inside of you.  If you profess faith, your cover reflects heavily upon the author of the book as well.  What mental image of you and of God do others get when they first encounter you?  That mental image lasts. Pictures say a thousand words and those  pictures stay around a lot longer than words.  These are not questions of  short hair or long, of style or makeup.  Your personal book cover shows the world your values, your gentleness, your character. Or your cover turns the world off with bitterness, envy and self-promotion. When there’s a question about what to believe, your image might just tip the balance. That’s a powerful reason to be sure that the important ideas of your life are  carried through into all things that people see around you.  Your appearance, your home and office, your entertainment  are all on the cover of your life.  You know a lot about a man by what he laughs at. 

People do judge books by the promise of the cover. Make a promise they will value, keep that promise and they’ll notice it for sure.  When the promise on the cover of the book is not continued throughout the pages we are sorely disappointed.  Sometimes we are angry and disillusioned.  Reading a book with big expectations only to be let down is offensive and the event will be told to others.  No less will the hypocrisy of professing a life of noble character only to be found out as a fraud be offensive and retold to others.  A sinner may be simply ignored but the sinner under a saint’s cover is repulsive and often publicly renounced. 

I love books.  I enjoy walking through book stores and libraries. What do I learn from books today?  Yes, we do judge a book by its cover.  And yes, we have the same expectations of the people we meet.  First impressions can be changed but they last.  We can use that to our advantage if we choose.   Give the world the impression of Christ and we draw people to us.  Deny Him with our actions and we push them away.  Maybe the best news is books are constantly reprinted with new covers.  What you were yesterday is not what you must be today.  You may now  have a new edition of yourself with a bright new cover that tells everyone at first glance who and what you are.  God is a god of second chances.