A New Brand:

Recently, I have been at work where an exciting event has taken place.  We have changed our name from the Job Foundation to Lumicent.  We are lighting the way to better financial literacy education as well as students better understanding the way to budget and handle their money.  This is a very exciting time here at work for this reason.  It is going to be some work, as we have to change all of our information,  presentations, etc. to our new name and brand graphics, logos, etc.  However, I think overall this is a good step forward in the history of our organization. 

When I am working currently, I am doing whatever I can to remember I am not working for the Job Foundation and instead, we have now switched gears to the new name of Lumicent.  This doesn’t mean we won’t work with the  same kids or have the good pieces of our organization as we did before, but we are new and hopefully will be less confusing to the general public. 

This did get me thinking about a rebrand we as Christians make. When we are not yet a believer, we are still incredibly sinful. We are more prone to wander from what the Lord has planned for us in our lives.  However, when we are rebranded, or when we are given the spirit of the Holy Spirit, we are called to be more and more like Jesus.  

There are a few times throughout the Bible when we are reminded of being in Christ, and a new creation.  This is Romans 6:4 which says, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of life.”  When we become a Christian, and we are now baptized maybe either physically or spiritually with the new life of Christ, it is as though we have died to our old selves and we are born again with a new spirit.  

I have had moments where I struggle to be a new creation, especially in this last year as we have gone through some trials and temptations.  I have had moments where I have been impatient, just as if I was still in my sinful state.  I have not been using the best words when I am talking about people or when I am not in the best mood.  I have been emotional and have had inappropriate meltdowns.  

With this realization, I need to be reminded I am a new creation.  I have been rebranded with the love and the life of Christ.   When there are moments I want to fall into my old ways, or when I want to fall into the way of my flesh, then I need to be reminded I am completely devoted and changed and now representing the flesh and heart of Christ. When there is a person I want to be really mean to because they have been mean to me, I need to remember I am a new creation.  When there are moments when everyone else is swearing and taking time to do things that are sinful to the Lord, I need to remember I am a new creation and am one with Christ. 

The challenge for the week is to remember how we are born into a new creation or have the opportunity to become a new creation. This may be for those who are reading who may not be a new creation to be reflective as to why you haven’t personally made the choice to become one with Christ and know him intimately. This is the chance to have a brand-new start and a brand new you!

This can be a reminder to all of you who are Christian and have had a changed life to be reminded of just what this means.This may be taking the time to realize the moments when you personally don’t want to act like a new creation.   What are the times when you most feel as though you are the farthest away from the Lord?  When are the times you would rather sin than the moments of spending time knowing God and depending on God?