What does your spiritual growth have in common with an old Nike commercial? Everything! Remember the commercial series years ago, “Just Do It!” The athletic shoe company urged the public to “Just Do It,” take action and strive toward the goal. Do you want to grow closer to God? Do you want to experience more of him flowing through your life? Then you too must “Just Do It!”
Just Do It
Spiritual growth does not just happen to you. You must pursue it. It is true that God pursues you, but you must respond. If you are not growing spiritually, you cannot point the finger of blame at others. You must own it. You are responsible for progressing in your obedient love relationship with Jesus.
There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who are…
- Action Inclined. When they see a need or sense a calling, their bias is toward action. They do something about it without letting the grass grow under their toes.
and those who are…
- Action Adverse. When they see a need or sense a calling, they shrink back from taking action. Their reasons may vary from fear to indifference.
You can think of yourself as positioned somewhere on the continuum between being action inclined and action adverse. Few are entirely one or the other. Are you someone who has more in common with an activist? Or, are you more inclined to respond with passivity, resisting action.
Sometimes examples of inactivity can seem harmless, like the slightly overweight couch potato who simply watches the world go by. But sometimes an example of inaction can be downright evil.
Consider March 13, 1964 in Queens, New York, when Kitty Genovese was stabbed and sexually assaulted for upwards of thirty minutes while, as many as 38 looked on, but did nothing.
The Apostle Paul taught believers to be action inclined when he said, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16) There are commands of Christ to be followed, ministry to engage in, and the gospel to share. This takes action. The days are evil and fleeting. Time is not to be wasted.
What about in your life? Are you engaging in your spiritual development or are you letting opportunities to engage pass you by as you say, “Maybe tomorrow.”
The problem with that is tomorrow may never come. But even if it does, you risk losing today. You risk missing God’s spiritual appointments.
Is there something that you know God is placing in your path today? Maybe it is something he wants you to do, a fear he wants you to face, a person he wants you to help, an unbeliever with whom he wants you to share the gospel.
Why are you waiting to take action? If God has put this before you, “Just Do It!” Get started.
I know, you have some fears, some concerns. What if I am not good enough? What if I fail?
Jon Acuff, in his best selling book, Start, says, “As you stand with one foot still on the road to average and one foot on the road to awesome, you’ve got to kill those concerns. Fortunately, there’s a trick that will take care of them both. Just start.”[1]
Starting, taking action, is the trick to growing in Christ and making a difference in the world.
So say “yes” to that opportunity. Set aside that time for prayer. Invite that friend to church. Help that friend who feels so alone in their trouble. Give to that great cause. “Just do It!” And you know what?
You will find your day to be an adventure, God to be your strength, and your life to be significant.
Question: What is it that God is calling you to do TODAY? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
