After spending many years in the warehousing and distribution industry, I learned that while the company's desire to increase employee morale was of high importance, the well-being of the management team was ignored. When good things were happening, it was because the team was working together. When one person voiced a negative comment, it was assumed that the entire operation was on the verge of collapse. Dealing with these highs and lows became very stressful and I learned that while no one remembers the wins, the losses are highlighted for months. I grew weary of this attitude and decided to start something on my own. While I enjoyed teaching and developing my teams, the lack of appreciation was not worth the experience. I started looking around for ideas and then one day it hit me. I decided that if I was going to develop something on my own, it must involve the greatest reward possible - helping others gain eternal life through Jesus Christ.
I was raised Christian and have always had Jesus in my heart, but I must admit that my church attendance and bible study has slipped over the years. I know that He has a plan for my life but I wasn't doing a good job seeking that plan. I knew that if I didn't have a relationship with Jesus, then it would be impossible to hear my calling, so I started praying and listening. I opened up my eyes and ears beyond my current tasks, trying to find my purpose. "Speak to me Jesus. Lead me to my path. I want to make a difference for you, not me. Teach me humility. Teach me purpose. Use me."
One day I was reading the Bible and stumbled across Luke 5. In this chapter the Bible talks about how Jesus convinces Peter, James, and John to follow Him. After passing several of Jesus' tests, He rewards them with a large catch of fish. The disciples are ecstatic and then Jesus teaches them that while catching fish and selling them at the market is fun, capturing the hearts and souls of others for eternity is even more fun. Jesus uses the excitement of the moment to convince the disciples that their life purpose should be leading others to follow Christ. He never denigrated their jobs as fishermen, but he advised them that while they are doing their work, spend some time doing the Lord's work. They should share the Good News with others, such that they too can receive eternal life and live with Him forever.
Marketing a car is fun. Selling products or distributing them throughout the world feels good. But is there anything greater accomplishment than converting a non-believer to Jesus Christ? Can you think of any one thing that would be more rewarding than that? I cannot.
Typically I do not share my faith with others. I don't go around talking about Jesus or wearing a cross around my neck, but should I? I believe that you decide how and when you want to talk about Jesus with others. Usually when someone is recovering from a bad injury or coping with the loss of a loved one, we talk openly to them about Jesus and His teachings. Wouldn't it be neat if we could increase the frequency of those conversations?
I started researching Christian symbols and learned that hundreds of years ago, when Christ followers would meet strangers, they would draw a curve in the sand. If the other was also a follower of Christ, he/she would draw a second curve, creating a fish. This allowed Christians to share their faith with other followers, without the fear of discrimination. I decided that the symbolism of the fish was a good candidate for our apparel, but noticed that a lot of other people were using this symbol. I wanted something different and again I asked God for support.
While I was preparing for my day, trying to brainstorm ideas in my hotel room, He spoke to me. He asked me to write the letter J and then C without picking up my pen. I did so and couldn't believe my eyes. The symbol was a fish! The two letters of His name made up the future logo of Fish Witness.
My prayers had been answered and at that moment I knew that I couldn't let Him down. But I tried. I didn't know how to build a website, I had never designed apparel, and I certainly didn't know how to market a product on the internet. There were so many reasons why I couldn't do this. But I kept thinking about the disciples, who fished all night and didn't catch anything. When Jesus asked them to do something, they replied "because you say so I will."
In early July Fish Witness was born. After months of working on the website and apparel, we were ready to launch. The logo design is a simple fish, embroidered with two different colors. These colors are to differential the letters J and C. In addition we launched a blog to allow others to share their experiences while wearing the clothing. Our goal is to get non-Christians to ask Christians about the logo, which could lead to questions about their faith, and eventually a conversation about Jesus Christ. Our motto is 'Wear and Share.' We hope to inspire others to share the Good News.
When I was a child I wanted to be a doctor. I had seen them on TV, helping save people's lives and I wanted to do that. I figured that if I could help someone else live longer, then my life would be fulfilled. Many years later I realized that the real life is eternal life. Our earthly life is so short and by bringing others to Christ, I could affect their destiny forever. But I also learned that leading others to Christ was not about me. While it felt good, I was doing this for them and for Jesus. He loves us so much that He gave His life to save ours. Why wouldn't you want to share that with others?
Since we launched the business I've had the apparel to wear and share my faith with others. At first I was hesitant to wear the product because I didn't want to attract attention to myself. Then I remembered that He helped me with the design for a reason and I must follow His direction regardless of my behaviors. When I say behaviors, I'm talking about being perfect. Jesus died for us to save us from our sins and the only perfect person was Him. I'm not perfect nor will I ever be, but I can demonstrate my faith to the best of my ability, continue to pray to Him, and witness as often as possible. You don't have to be perfect to share the Good News.
There is not greater accomplishment in your life than helping someone else come to know and love Jesus Christ. I encourage you to create your own 'Wear and Share' story. Don't do it for yourself. Do it for your neighbor. Do it for your friends. Most importantly, do it for Jesus. Remember Luke 5:5 "Because You Say So I Will."
I was raised Christian and have always had Jesus in my heart, but I must admit that my church attendance and bible study has slipped over the years. I know that He has a plan for my life but I wasn't doing a good job seeking that plan. I knew that if I didn't have a relationship with Jesus, then it would be impossible to hear my calling, so I started praying and listening. I opened up my eyes and ears beyond my current tasks, trying to find my purpose. "Speak to me Jesus. Lead me to my path. I want to make a difference for you, not me. Teach me humility. Teach me purpose. Use me."
One day I was reading the Bible and stumbled across Luke 5. In this chapter the Bible talks about how Jesus convinces Peter, James, and John to follow Him. After passing several of Jesus' tests, He rewards them with a large catch of fish. The disciples are ecstatic and then Jesus teaches them that while catching fish and selling them at the market is fun, capturing the hearts and souls of others for eternity is even more fun. Jesus uses the excitement of the moment to convince the disciples that their life purpose should be leading others to follow Christ. He never denigrated their jobs as fishermen, but he advised them that while they are doing their work, spend some time doing the Lord's work. They should share the Good News with others, such that they too can receive eternal life and live with Him forever.
Marketing a car is fun. Selling products or distributing them throughout the world feels good. But is there anything greater accomplishment than converting a non-believer to Jesus Christ? Can you think of any one thing that would be more rewarding than that? I cannot.
Typically I do not share my faith with others. I don't go around talking about Jesus or wearing a cross around my neck, but should I? I believe that you decide how and when you want to talk about Jesus with others. Usually when someone is recovering from a bad injury or coping with the loss of a loved one, we talk openly to them about Jesus and His teachings. Wouldn't it be neat if we could increase the frequency of those conversations?
I started researching Christian symbols and learned that hundreds of years ago, when Christ followers would meet strangers, they would draw a curve in the sand. If the other was also a follower of Christ, he/she would draw a second curve, creating a fish. This allowed Christians to share their faith with other followers, without the fear of discrimination. I decided that the symbolism of the fish was a good candidate for our apparel, but noticed that a lot of other people were using this symbol. I wanted something different and again I asked God for support.
While I was preparing for my day, trying to brainstorm ideas in my hotel room, He spoke to me. He asked me to write the letter J and then C without picking up my pen. I did so and couldn't believe my eyes. The symbol was a fish! The two letters of His name made up the future logo of Fish Witness.
My prayers had been answered and at that moment I knew that I couldn't let Him down. But I tried. I didn't know how to build a website, I had never designed apparel, and I certainly didn't know how to market a product on the internet. There were so many reasons why I couldn't do this. But I kept thinking about the disciples, who fished all night and didn't catch anything. When Jesus asked them to do something, they replied "because you say so I will."
In early July Fish Witness was born. After months of working on the website and apparel, we were ready to launch. The logo design is a simple fish, embroidered with two different colors. These colors are to differential the letters J and C. In addition we launched a blog to allow others to share their experiences while wearing the clothing. Our goal is to get non-Christians to ask Christians about the logo, which could lead to questions about their faith, and eventually a conversation about Jesus Christ. Our motto is 'Wear and Share.' We hope to inspire others to share the Good News.
When I was a child I wanted to be a doctor. I had seen them on TV, helping save people's lives and I wanted to do that. I figured that if I could help someone else live longer, then my life would be fulfilled. Many years later I realized that the real life is eternal life. Our earthly life is so short and by bringing others to Christ, I could affect their destiny forever. But I also learned that leading others to Christ was not about me. While it felt good, I was doing this for them and for Jesus. He loves us so much that He gave His life to save ours. Why wouldn't you want to share that with others?
Since we launched the business I've had the apparel to wear and share my faith with others. At first I was hesitant to wear the product because I didn't want to attract attention to myself. Then I remembered that He helped me with the design for a reason and I must follow His direction regardless of my behaviors. When I say behaviors, I'm talking about being perfect. Jesus died for us to save us from our sins and the only perfect person was Him. I'm not perfect nor will I ever be, but I can demonstrate my faith to the best of my ability, continue to pray to Him, and witness as often as possible. You don't have to be perfect to share the Good News.
There is not greater accomplishment in your life than helping someone else come to know and love Jesus Christ. I encourage you to create your own 'Wear and Share' story. Don't do it for yourself. Do it for your neighbor. Do it for your friends. Most importantly, do it for Jesus. Remember Luke 5:5 "Because You Say So I Will."
About the Author:
Want to find out more about wearing your witness? Visit James Kitts' site and review our products. Or share your story christian clothing in our blog.
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