Branded
What do you think when I say the word “brand”?
We are branded on the outside by the clothes, purses, shoes, cars, or any other thing we carry. iPhone or Android? Thrift store treasure purse, or Louis Vuitton? Tesla or Toyota? Starbucks or 7Brew? McD’s or farm to table?
Some people may think about how animals get symbols of ownership, that they are “branded” with a red-hot piece of iron; but I’m guessing that most people would think about brand names of products
What if someone wanted to “brand” Christianity? Would they put a cross decal on their car? Some of you may remember the WWJD bracelets. Maybe someone who likes the Christian brand will post Bible verses or set up a photo shoot of their quiet time, complete with a steaming cuppa with a Bible and a picturesque background for a social media post.
Modesty, items with Bible verses, and anything else that glorifies God are good things. What makes them a brand just for the outside to see vs. seeking to glorify God is the motive.
As you consider your motives, examine your heart. Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” This is one of my favorite scriptures to pray because God will show you the black parts of your heart that you successfully hide from everyone else. But what I love is how the Holy Spirit is so gentle in the way that he convicts me. He will, in his own Holy Spirit way, show me my pride, my misplaced motives, my insecurity, and whatever the black part du jour is.
Why do we want to “live the brand”? John 10:10! “Satan has come to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came so that we can have life, and live it to the fullest extent!” God will bring you a life that is so joyful and so exciting! Life with Jesus doesn’t need anything external to make you happy!
Now, if you want stuff, knock yourself out. But warning: don’t let it be what defines your relationship with God.
One of the saddest parts of the Bible to me is Matthew 7:21-23. It reads: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
It is a fear of mine that there are people sitting in church every Sunday who have branded themselves as Christians but are not seeking God. I know because I was one. I was raised in the church and yet did not read my Bible or pray on a regular basis, like Sundays only. Once I realized that I was just biding my time in church, it became a burden on my soul that I did not have a real relationship with God. Since then, I do have to testify that I have so much more joy and enjoy my time in prayer and reading the Bible so much more. There is still struggle in life, but I hold onto 2 Tim 1:12, in that I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.
Don't walk away from this devo feeling beat up. That is the last thing I want. This is not judgment on your Farmhouse sign, Christian t-shirt, or Instagram post. God wants an abundant life for you, and if you are pretending, even with the best intentions, there is so much more for you! Seek God out and pray He would search your heart and reveal to you what you need to know.
Let’s pray:
Holy Father, you sent Jesus to be the payment for what we owe to you. Thank you for your grace and for your plan. We praise you as our Redeemer and Lover of Our Souls. We praise you for making the way for us to have a full and abundant life. Help us to see the parts of our heart that need you to rehab. Open our eyes to see where we can love you more, and give us the ability and the strength to love you more. More, more, more Jesus, give us more! Overcome our hearts with your holiness and lovingkindness. In Jesus name, amen.
Reflection Questions
What kind of things define you? What’s your style? Identify things in your life that you depend on to brand you.
Review the verses from this devotion and pick one or more to write out. Put it where you can see it this week. Ask God to bring new meaning to this verse for you.
Set aside a time of prayer. Ask God to know your heart and point out parts that need to be renewed by the Holy Spirit. After praying, sit in silence for at least 5 minutes so that God can speak to you. It will likely not be an audible voice, but He may impress ideas on you.
