Just Do It

The slogan, "JUST DO IT", is a trademark of shoe company, Nike. The slogan was coined in 1988 at an advertising agency meeting. The "JUST DO IT" campaign allowed Nike to increase its share of the North American domestic sport-shoe business from 18% to 43% (from $877 million to $9.2 billion) over the following 10 years. The slogan and the famous "Swoosh" logo are immediately associated with Nike.

Yet about two thousand years before that productive ad meeting came up with this profitable slogan, another creative mind wrote these words: "May the God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it." The Apostle Paul was encouraging the Thessalonian believers no to grow weary in their service for the Lord or impatient while waiting for the return of the Lord. His exhortation for them to excel in their newfound faith is very similar to the thought behind Nike's slogan urging their clients not to give up int heir endeavors toward health and fitness.

The primary difference in the two slogans is that Nike is stressing the need for human endurance while Paul is expressing the need for reliance up on the Lord's strength. In the verses before and after this passage, Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer. First, he encourages the young church to pray continually and to give thanks in all things. Immediately following his encouraging words to these believers, Paul asks for them to pray for him and those with him. While Nike emphasizes the "you can do it" spirit, Paul reminds us of the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ to do what He has promised by stating: "He will do it".

To be honest, I haven't noticed any real difference in the Nike products and other brands. There is no "Swoosh" on the shoes that I wear to the gym each day. However, I have found Paul's words to be true. Throughout my life-long race with the Lord, He has never failed to keep His promises. He is a faithful and true "running partner", who never runs ahead of me nor lags behind.

I know that He will always do His part, even when I fail to do mine. I urge you to put your trust in Him because "He will do it!"

Serving in love,

Bro. Jim