You recognize them anywhere and their image might conjure up all sorts of feelings in you.
No. I’m not talking about that kid that used to pick on you in elementary school or your high school crush.
I’m referring to a well-marketed brand. You know, like the Nike Swoosh or Twitter’s cartoon bird silhouette or even those magical golden double arches of McDonald’s.
Well guess what? Now 7 Days Time has a brand too! (With fewer calories than Mickey D’s.) Perhaps you noticed it sprinkled around the last few days– on posts, pages, newsletter emails.
Here it is:
Cool, huh? (Well, at least I think so– but I am clearly biased.) I wanted to take a few moments today to share the back story of this brand, because as much as I would love to claim it as my own, it is not my brainchild. It was definitely one of the Jesus-strikes-your-heart-while-working-out-on-the-elliptical moments.
Seriously. It was several weeks ago (probably 12 or more) and I was at the gym for a few precious minutes of solo mommy time. I was listening to the Bible on the iPad while also pondering the new direction for our website/ministry.
Over the next few minutes, the following verse struck my heart:
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…” ~Ephesians 1:13
My mind then immediately flashed to the verse from Song of Solomon:
“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.” ~Song of Solomon 8:6
Before I could push pause on the elliptical to catch my breath, the vision of the above brand lit up in my mind. Can you see the 7 Days Time representation in it? The number “7” on the left, the “D” for days that swoops right, then the “T” in the middle for time. (The lowercase “t” also represents the cross, Christ, as the center of our ministry.)
I wrapped up my workout and rushed home, because God told me to do something radical about this.
It wasn’t just going to be a brand on the website. It was to be a seal, a mark, a sign, as TATTOO on my arm.
I told my husband about this Jesus epiphany. We prayed about it. And a couple of weeks later, we got matching tattoos in the form of 7 Days Time brand to celebrate our three-year wedding anniversary.
There’s no turning back, folks. We are committed. For life. Literally.
His literal seal on my arm.
So that’s our story and we are stickin’ to it. (Not like we could get out of it now anyways.) Please understand, my friends– I am in no way advocating the reckless tattooing of oneself without thinking it through. (Because that’s a case of “what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas but goes home with me permanently.) I pray that when you see our brand, it reminds you of total obedience, complete surrender.
Because I absolutely despise needles. However, I love Jesus more than I hate needles. This brand that is permanently etched into Brandon and I’s skin is not only a great way to share a quick testimony about our ministry (and thoroughly confuse people who don’t know us~ “Wait… you are in the ministry and got a tattoo? Is that legal?”) but it is a sign of our love and commitment to the Lord.
Is God charging you to do something with reckless abandon for Him today? To show love to Him or others with a fresh heart? To share His Brand of Grace, Hope, Love and Peace with the world? Do you trust Him enough to do it? (I would love to hear all about it. Comment below!)
So yes, my friends… This journey with 7 Days Time has already been intense, encouraging and even a little physically painful. But when it comes obeying Christ, there’s nothing more exciting than Being His Brand.
Branded 4 Life,
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” ~2 Corinthians 1:21-22
PS: Our launch week giveaway is still in progress! See Monday’s post for complete details or enter below.
