day 2641: Too Popular

“…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth…”

There is such a thing as “too popular”. If you were the inventors of these trademarked brand names, you would know what I mean: zipper, trampoline, aspirin, cellophane, dumpster, laundromat, escalator or linoleum. Yes, they were once trademarked brands that companies owned but they became so popular they became a generic trademarks and once it happens, it’s really hard for a company to get their trademark back. Many companies are trying to fight back and hang on to the price they pay for being too popular. Think Kleenex, Band-Aids, Xerox, Lego, and Bubble Wrap. It reminds me that for every good result, there is also a consideration to be reckoned.

Our faith can fall into the trap of becoming “generic”.  We can live the life we are to live, believing and following Jesus and His teachings but yet the fire within us feels as though it burns lowly.  We share our beliefs with other others but we may come across as generic and without the excitement and passion that we once had.  Like those companies who have worked hard to keep their brands distinct and sharp so they don’t just slip into the everyday and nondescript stuff that is out there, we have to do the same with our faith by staying in God’s Word, sharpening ourselves within the fellowship of others and listening in our prayers to what God has to say to us.  Jesus is far from generic, we know that.  But, it is up to us to not let Him become so in our own lives and in the perception of others.

Reference:  Philippians 2:10 (New Living Translation)