I've never disappointed so many people in such a short space of time.

We were running a pop-up store at a conference, and our new Known By Jesus tee had completely sold out.

Which meant I spent a good part of the day apologising to people.

"No, I'm so sorry."
"I'm so sorry, there's no more."
"Yep, they're all gone. Sorry!"

For the first time ever, we'd sold out of a design on release. And even after rushing to print another batch halfway through the conference, we sold out again.

But here's the thing. We almost didn't print this shirt.

Because it's bold.

In big, loud lettering across the front it says "KNOWN BY JESUS", and on the back, "MAKE JESUS KNOWN". There's nothing subtle about it.

It doesn't really invite curiosity like some of our other designs. It flat-out announces its purpose: I am known by Jesus, so I will make Him known to others.

I love it. Ben loves it.

But right before we were due to print, we started second-guessing ourselves.

Maybe it's too much? Should we make the font smaller? Will people actually wear this?

We'd designed it specifically for Gen Z. After spending time in 2 Timothy, we'd felt stirred to encourage the next generation to step into their purpose and boldly make Jesus known.

But we were designing outside our comfort zone, for a generation that wasn't ours, and suddenly, we weren't so sure.

We mocked up smaller text. Tried something a little less… loud.

Something safer.

But with deadlines pressing, we threw caution (and hesitation) to the wind and printed the original design. And thank goodness we did, because it flew off the rack.

I know, i know. The irony isn't lost on me.

We'd designed a shirt to encourage boldness in others, while wrestling with our own hesitation.

Not because we didn't believe the message, but because we weren't sure how people would receive it.

Its had me reflecting how often we do the same thing with our faith: We believe Jesus is good news, believe He's worth knowing and that He's changed our lives.

But sometimes, when an opportunity comes to make Him known, we hesitate.

We worry about what people might think and whether we'll say the wrong thing. Whether we're being a little too much.

So we make the message smaller.

I wonder if we (including me) spend too much time worrying about how people will receive Jesus, and not enough time simply making Him known.

Maybe we just need to be a little less afraid of being known as His.

After all, we're known by Jesus.

What a privilege it is to make Him known.

And to think, we almost made the font smaller...