In my coaching business, there is a lot of emphasis on developing your personal brand. It’s important to define who you are and what people can expect from you at all times. As a follower of Christ, I think it’s equally important to be conscious of our brand in the eyes of the world. We need to be certain we are accurately portraying the message of Jesus in everything that we do.
You shouldn’t need a sign around your neck to tell people what you stand for in life. Rather, if we are living consistently with the mission of Christ, it will be self-evident.
That’s really all there is to any branding. Think of your favorite brands of products, and then consider their marketing message. Successful products are consistent over time and you instinctively trust the value you will receive when purchasing them. No one has to describe to you what a Pepsi (insert your own guilty pleasure here) tastes like; you see the logo and your mind inherently relates the taste to your tongue. The same should be true of your life. When people see you, they shouldn’t have to ask you what you believe. They shouldn’t have to ask what the guiding principles are in your life. If we are living in a manner that reflects Jesus, they will inherently know who we are and what we do.
Branding is all about consistency. When you live by the same guiding principles each day throughout your life, you will gain a reputation that speaks louder than words ever could. People will recognize you as a compassionate person who is always willing to lend a hand or a few dollars to someone in need. They will see you as a person who puts others first and is honest in all of your dealings. In short, they will see the character of Christ revealed in you. When others look at you and see Jesus, God is glorified. Our branding is in line then, when we are living a life that consistently glorifies God.
As with all brands, this isn’t something that will happen overnight. Marketers spend years positioning themselves and getting to know their target audience. We must spend diligent time in getting to know our Creator. He is the audience for which we play. Others may benefit from our relationship with God, but He must be the sole focus of our lives. The better we come to know Him, the better we will reflect His nature – or brand, if you will.
On the less attractive side of branding, we have all seen how a single misstep can sink a brand for a long time, if not for good. People are constantly observing us, just as we observe them. They are drawn to God when we are accurately reflecting Him, but they turn away when we exhibit qualities that are not consistent with His truth and love. That is why consistency is so important. We don’t get to have “off” days, because we never know who we might be turning away from God by doing so. As followers of Christ, it is our mission to stay on message and on brand.
The takeaway from this analogy is to live consistently in the same manner that Christ lived. We must exhibit love and compassion at all times. We must fight for justice and stand for truth. As we model these qualities in our own lives, God is glorified and we draw closer to Him. This is what a life spent truly following Jesus looks like. How well are you reflecting this today?
Question: What are you doing to enhance the “brand” of Jesus in the eyes of others? You can leave a comment below.