For the better part of a decade I had the privilege of working for a company that specializes in researching and preparing background material for industrial investors. It was fascinating work. Although I had no formal training I worked with outstanding editors and colleagues and through a combination of patient mentorship and a hefty dose of God's grace, I learned how to acquire, document and analyse information. It was hard work and there were days when I struggled with frustration but when those reports came out I felt proud to be part of the process.
As simplistic as it may sound, learning to link individual products with parent companies or corporations was of great interest to me. Discovering that Brand XYZ was owned by the same company as Brand JKL intrigued me almost as much as the constant acquisition and merger of various entities. Although I retired from that company nearly two years ago I still follow market reports on a daily basis and in particular, I keep tabs on the national brands I once wrote about.
I'll stop this part of the discussion now since I make no claim to be any kind of an expert on the subject. What I do know, however, is that my thoughts, words and actions all display the hallmarks of who or what controls my life.
Sadly, over the centuries so much has been done in a spirit of bitter competition and contention. Let's ask God to deliver us from the tendency to promote "our" brand and instead, enable us to focus on glorifying Him and serving others.
"And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17 - Amplified)
