Bloggers and writers often add a “tag line” to their blog name or book title that, as the Merriam-Webster Dictionary states, “serves to clarify a point” or to reiterate a “phrase identified with an individual, group, or product” (such as a slogan or a catchword).

For example, the tag line for this blog, Petals from the Basket, clarifies what the petals are: “Ideas and Resources for Everyday Christian Living.” The reason I selected that was intentional; I wanted people to think of Petals from the Basket when they desire to find helpful tools for everyday Christian living—simple but strategic.

While the tag line helps readers know where to look across the Internet for material they want to read, it also helps to keep the writer or blogger on track. In the times when I have felt myself wandering away from the intended purpose of this blog, it’s always been the tag line that formed the criteria for the changes I would make: Is what I’m about to post or share something that is an idea or a resource that could be a helpful tool in the life of a believer?

As I was preparing to write a post other than this one, and as I measured it up to the “tag line standard,” it hit me that my life needs to have a slogan or catchword as well. (I believe it is Stephen Covey who taught that you need to have a personal mission statement. It’s along those lines—only a little less complex.) Here are three specific reasons why I think you need to have a personal tag line:

1. To establish a solid foundation.

When a “point of clarification” is established, the foundation is solid, and there is no need to wonder about the purpose of your life. That is why, for a believer, the tag line should include Christ as the immovable reference point on which your life is established.

2. To create a standard of measurement.

When writing a post for this blog, I now “measure” it against the two elements of the tag line: is it an idea for living a more productive and Christlike life or a resource that believers can use to become more Christlike? I also ask whether or not what I am writing can, in essence, combine those two elements by sharing what God is teaching me in my own life through the ideas and resources I choose—or choose not—to implement.

In my personal “life tag line,” the same needs to be true: if it doesn’t line up on the measuring stick of what I have established as the clarifying description of my life, then it cannot remain a part of my life.

3. To keep moving forward.

Each time I read the words ideas and resources, I am reminded that there are more ideas and more resources to discover and therefore to write about, and that excites me. Likewise, a personal tag line written in light of eternity’s values will remind us that there is more to discover, learn about, and put into practice as we seek to be more like Christ in our love, patience, talk, and Christian walk.

So here’s a challenge for you today—and I’m taking the challenge too:

By Wednesday, determine your personal tag line. Write it out if you want to. Rewrite it if you need to. In my post on Wednesday, I’ll share what I come up with for my own personal tag line, and I’d love to hear your tag lines too!

Here’s the kicker: keep it brief—fifteen words or less!

I’ll finish with one very clear example from Scripture (Ephesians 1:1, NKJV):

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God!” (Notice that Paul kept his to ten words and that he fulfilled all three reasons!)

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