Image Branding

#IWokeUpLikeThis

This truly is my morning face. I am not a ‘morning person.’ I wish I was because neither am I pleasant in the late evening. You have to catch me at the right time of day to get the ‘best’ Vachelle. I am not trendy when it comes to social media, but I have seen the #IWokeUpLikeThis hashtag several times and it is usually accompanied by a flattering picture of the person. But even on my best days I still hide from the camera because I have yet to master the art of good picture taking.

One of my biggest hang-ups in doing something public is the idea of branding an image. Back in the day my husband and I had fun making vlogs. It was for private use, but we toyed around with the idea of sharing it with the public. At the end of the day we just did not want to invest the time and I did not have the motivation to keep the “look” up. What I mean by this is I could not wear sweats and t-shirts in every video. I had to up the “cheer” in my voice because my normal speaking voice sounded monotone and my makeup regiment extended from Sunday mornings and special outings to every recording day. That alone was too much for me. I never could keep up with the cool kids.

A modern day sociologist calls this generation the “Belly Button Generation.” Like a baby that discovers their belly button, is how fixated we are with ourselves. And it is that same obsession that has held me back from doing many things. How will I compare? What will others think? I want others to like me....

At the end of the day what image am I trying to represent?

The lane that I find myself in is in formal service to Christ's body (ministry), but no matter what vocation the mission is the same. As humanity we are all image bearers of The Creator God. As Christians we represent the fullness of that revelation through Jesus Christ.

Our lives are not our own. We are here due to causes external to ourselves. For who on this earth as willed themselves into being? It is an indicator that should direct us away from our self-importance. Even Jesus, the self-existent one came as a servant to glorify His Father in Heaven and serve Creation. It is in Him that we are given life and our purpose is defined.

So in the process of finding my ‘brand’ I am constantly reminded that I must decrease in order that He might increase. I am not the center of the universe, but there is one who is and that is the image I am trying to bare. It might not always look glamorous, but it is glorious. I won’t always get it right and I might not always practice what I preach but in the words of my brother Paul, follow my example as I do my best to follow the leading of Christ.