Never Established, BILLABONG

 A while ago I noticed a Billabong tee shirt with the slogan "Never Established" printed boldly across the front of the shirt. 

Most brands these days are proud of their heritage and make sure that everyone knows when they were established. "Established 1980" or such a theme stands out and speaks to certain roots perhaps, or even longevity of vision. But in this case Billabong decided to cast this aside, and present the idea to anyone listening that they will never be "established". 

My impression of this is that they want to portray that they will never be satisfied with their lot in terms of design, market share, product development, marketing, distribution and more, but will permanently work towards improvement in every area. Now of course this could just be "market speak", but it did turn my thoughts towards Paul writing to the Phillipian church and making the point clear that his finish line was not the next church, or the next project, but his finish line was to be the point of his death.

When he would then receive the goal of his salvation - face to face relationship with Christ - in His presence. 

He writes: Phillipians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
 We are but sojourners here, for a time. Our home is not here. It is good, like Paul, to carry with us a constant restlesness (but with perfect peace) as we press on towards the goal of our faith, partnering with Jesus in building His Kingdom on earth, with a long term goal in our sights of being restored to the perfection of original life in God's Holy presence. 

The moment we stop and think we have arrived, we build a religion, and move away from relationship. We are a nomadic people, moving with our Saviour, towards our real and genuine life. We must NEVER be established