God is Greater than the Highs and Lows
One of the most popular symbols we sell on our apparel means that 'God is greater than our ups and downs...' It’s seldom to see apparel with such a hidden yet beautiful meaning. Since this message is so much a part of what our brand is about, I wanted to give you some insight on what this design means to us.
As I meditate on the meaning of God is Greater Than the Highs and Lows message, this design featured on our Christian t-shirts moved my heart. I realized this isn’t just a shirt with minimalistic design but it is a tool for motivation both for myself and others- all because its meaning is backed by the Word of God - which is alive and powerful.
G = God
> = Is Greater
Than the
^ = Highs
v = Lows
"Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:39
Here are three reasons why I LOVE to wear this design everywhere I go:
It reminds me that:
1. I Am No Longer Defined by My Successes
Success is a good servant, but a bad master. It’s a good thing to possess, but devastating to be possessed by. Indeed, God wants us to shine “success” in the world (Matthew 5:16) but we are not to chase for them as an end, but rather a means to glorify and obey God.
Worldly success can leave us wanting more. Why? Because success is a terrible master that’s never satisfied. He is a boss that can never be pleased. His eternal response will always be, “you will never be enough.” His slaves are trapped in a vicious cycle of dissatisfaction and endless pursuit of emptiness, unless they are set free.
Worldly success can also be very devastating. We may spend our entire life earning prosperity but all can be taken away in an instant. One accident, one market crisis, one sickness, one controversy, one gossip, one death - any swift surprise can be as a flood that will wipe everything way. Success can be forgotten or revised. I realized that all that I have built for, if only for my own glory, can just be forgotten or revised by anyone- even by those whom I tried to please or serve.
In Christ, however, we can have “good success” (Joshua 1:9). The success God gives is greater because it won’t leave us wanting more and won’t be gone forever.
These Christian t-shirts also remind me that:
2. I Am Not Defined by My Failures
Failures without God lead to death (2 Corinthians 7:10). There are lots of failure stories both in the pages of the Bible and in the pages of my life. Judas failed his Master and he committed suicide, beyond redemption and forgiveness.
Without God, the “downs” of our lives will lead us to hopeless despair. Our failures will seem to be undefeatable goliaths who are far bigger than what we can ever imagine.
With God, failures are given new meaning. Peter failed Christ, but because of the grace of God, his failures built him. In Christ, failure becomes our teacher and not our undertaker. The down moments of our lives teach us to lean on God, commune with Him and cling to Him. Failure now becomes a solid ground on which God builds His work.
With God, failures show us who really can be trusted. We realize how foolish to trust anything outside God. We agree with the prophet, “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:9).
These Christian t-shirts remind me that:
3. God is Greater
Wearing this tee refreshes me with these wonderful insights:
God is greater because he doesn’t have the deceitfulness and untrustworthiness of worldly success nor the dangers of failures. Whatever we have is grace - and grace does not make us boastful nor hopeless.
He gives us the greater and the best - and that is acceptance by Him. In God, we are no longer slaves chasing for belongingness. Instead, we are children. In Christ, the love of God sets us free from the weariness of trying to gain for approval. In Christ, we are accepted no matter what, we are loved without condition. He runs and embraces us not by the merits of our successes but on the credits of what Christ has done for us- His perfect life, death and resurrection.
The God is greater than the Highs and Lows design indeed carries a spiritual reminder to me that my identity is no longer based on what I have accomplished for myself nor what I have failed to do. Let’s not waste our ups and downs. Let’s trust God through them. He is building our faith. One day, it will be worth it all. In God alone I can find true and secure success. That’s why God is greater than the not only the highs and lows, but He is much, much greater than this world itself.
Here's a prayer for you today:
"God, you are greater than my fears today. You are greater than my anxiety. You're greater than my depression. You're greater than all of this world around me. You matter more. I was made for more. I was made to love, and that's what I'm going to do today. Help me love You more. Guide me as I go throughout this day, be with me and help me conquer my enemies. In Your name I pray, amen."
