We live in a world of logos and icons. Caps, shirts, shoes, glasses, jeans – it seems everything we wear has a brand on it. The Nike swoosh is everywhere. The polo rider signals his message. “Cool” is created with a few pieces of thread and reinforces something about the wearer. The reality is, while millions of dollars are spent developing the identity of a brand, millions who wear the logos are in fact still trying to find their own identity!

This used to be the crisis of our high school years, now the battle lines are drawn in grade school and perhaps even earlier. Kids are pretty quick to figure out where they are in the pecking order on the playground.

We want to stand out by learning to fit in with the right crowd. The goal becomes to look like everybody else, blend in and conform. But, the real value in life is always found in the original and originality.

God knows this and we let it slip away from us. This world will fashion you into someone you weren’t meant to be if you let it happen. The truth is, you were hardwired from the factory to be who you are. There is a role you have in life no one else is called to carry out. Jeremiah 29:11says, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

David, the shepherd boy, would still be overlooked for battle today because he came with no logos, no brands, no name. Just the hand of God on a life whose heart was after Him.

Overlooked by his brothers as insignificant, God knew David was hardwired to take on the lion and the bear while tending the sheep. He knew what David could do given the opportunity, well before the day Goliath fell before him with a giant thud. (no pun intended) It’s no different today. Same game, same battle, same promise.

God is still looking for those who believe they can be used. The enemy still sneers, “You’re not worthy!” But, the truth is, no matter how you are wired – extrovert, introvert, musical, conversational, loner, or life of the party – God didn’t check your logo before offering you new life. 2 Corinthians 4:7 reminds us of the blessing we have in Christ in spite of our humanity, “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”

You’re an original…and yet, a work in progress. Don’t let the logos hold you back.

Today’s thought: You are an original, a masterpiece, a one-of-a-kind: God’s handiwork.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 139

Today’s prayer: “Lord, help to hear you call to me today. I am unique and the way in which I hear your voice is unique. Speak to me Lord. I need to hear your thoughts over me.” Quiet down for a few more minutes and see what you hear in your spirit, or feel impressed to write down, or a thought to be captured.

Marc Owings & David Terry

Written by: Marc Owings on July 27th, 2010
Posted in From the Heart | No Comments » You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.