Brand identity is a billion dollar proposition anymore. Companies spend
millions to create an identity for their product, and try to make it
identifiable by a logo, you see it and are reminded of their product, and
hopefully want to buy it. Many logos are identifiable, such as the tuning forks
of Yamaha, the red wing of Honda, the yellow S of Suzuki, and the green K of
Kawasaki. Just see a bar and shield and you know it stands for Harley. But
some logos use their names, such as Triumph, with only the cool recognizing the
difference in the H, separating the Hinckley bikes from the Meriden rides. FORD
is one of the most recognized trademarks in the world. Back in the sixties,
before the Chrysler Pentastar, they had a fratzog, a meaningless name for the
Dodge emblem. See the Star and Laurel, you know it’s a Mercedes Benz. Blue and
white circle, signifying a propeller, it’s a BMW. Chevy’s bow tie is a national
treasure, and the VW emblem in the circle doesn’t have to spell out Volkswagen.
You know, for it has been emblazoned on your memory banks. The Spencerian
script of Coca Cola is perhaps the most recognized, but so is their Dynamic
Ribbon, also trademarked. I am looking at a Dell keyboard, sideways E, no doubt
what that is. Just look for the Golden Arches, now just a big yellow M, you
know it is McDonalds. LEGO, FED EX, UPS, and others are instantly identifiable,
some just by their colors. One of my favorites is Baskin Robbins, where the 31
is incorporated in the BR-clever. Some have evolved over the years, such as
Apple, Shell gasoline, but still remain instantly identifiable. No doubt what
they are selling. Even political parties are memorable, if just to know who and
what they represent. And the use of blue warning signs everywhere, have
eliminated words on signs. And with the loss of words, kids can’t spell, and
text using abbreviations, yet know what they are saying, or claim they do. I ‘m
sure there is a logo for that too. And all are trademarked, with even names
that sound alike being barred from using certain intonations. Years ago a
collector magazine about vintage trucks was called This Old Truck, but the
producers were afraid their Show, This Old House may be confused, threatened to
sue, and now This Old Truck is called Vintage Truck. Maybe tells more about the
inept crazies who watch TOH, than they want us to know. But for every product,
idea, or concept, eventually it will have logo tied to it. Just to remind
us....Trademarked for their protection.
Now stop a minute and think, what is the most recognized logo of all time,
and not trademarked? For over 2000 years now it has stood for one thing and one
thing only? Give up-it’s the cross! A logo sent via Logos, the word for God,
through which all things were made. And it stands for Jesus, another one name
instantly recognized, but yet many haven’t taken advantage of His offer. Many
wear crosses around their necks, some for style, some for protection, and some
for religious purposes. Some just like the look of it, and some think it helps
identify them as a Christian. But some deny it altogether, and miss out what it
stands for-it stands for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, dying for our sins,
and reuniting us with God, His Father, the Logos, in heaven. It tells us He is
God, although He came to earth and lived as a man among us. Too much theology,
get to know Him, then you’ll get it. Don’t try to get it, then join in. For it
is the Spirit, only available from Jesus, who reveals the mysteries of the
gospels. It takes the logo of Logos! The cross, and it separates the living
from the dead. But it is also where we are reunited with God. Have problems,
meet at the Cross. Even the atheists acknowledge the cross, or at least what it
is, they don’t believe in a God, and by definition don’t exist. They are their
own logos-how can you deny yourself? Yet they deny the real Logos, Jesus.
Take some time to consider what the cross means, and let it become real to
you. More than just a product, or a concept, it is a person, Jesus Christ. It
is the way to Him, a simple idea called the gospel, and available 24/7 for all
who seek Him. Wearing a cross won’t make you a Christian, any more than sitting
in church will make you a pew. Wearing a Harley t-shirt doesn’t make you a
Harley owner, they sell more shirts than bikes, and sell a lot of each. Wearing
you cute BMW pendant around your neck, over your heart may tell what is really
on your heart. Logos will tell us something about us, it takes the Logos of
Jesus Christ to find out who we really are.
Only one logo means anything, the Logos of God. If it isn’t on your heart,
you are lost. Given over to gods who cannot save you. Don’t worship a god like
Dagon, who fell over every night and had to be picked up. Or motorcycle that
needs to be tuned and fueled. You will get hungry and thirsty again, take a tip
from Coca Cola, Jesus was the real thing, and is the real thing, years before
they came along. Look to the cross-what do you see?
If it is a who, you get it. If not, keep looking, He is waiting for you to
take Him into your heart, He already has you in His. He is the all time logo of
all logos-He is the LOGOS! Accept no substitutes. Amazing how the cruelest
form of execution ever devised represents the only one who can save you. But
you knew all that anyway, didn’t you? The importance of the cross.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com