Nike Spirituality

I need to make some changes in my life. Maybe you feel that way, too.

As summer begins to warm up, I have noticed that some of my clothes don’t fit the way they used to. Apparently, they shrunk while they were in the drawer all winter. I guess I need to get serious about getting in better shape. 

But change comes hard. There is a reason we develop a “comfort zone,” that’s because it’s, well, comfortable. We like where we are and how we do things. But every once in a while something happens that reminds us we need to think more carefully about what our priorities are, and how we need to live our lives according to those priorities.

It may be a personal, or national tragedy. It may be watching a loved one go through some emotional or physical pain. Or it may be as simple as not being able to button your shorts. Sometimes we need to make changes. But how do we do that?

There are lots of folks who want to be closer to God, who wish they had a better understanding of the Bible and could pray in such a way that they really felt the love and mercy of God in their lives. They just don’t know how.

Several years ago Nike had an ad campaign that used the simple slogan, “Just do it.” It was plastered all over t-shirts, posters, and media ads. The idea was that there were no more excuses. Time to put up or shut up. Just do it.

I always liked those ads, and the implications. There comes a time in our lives when we just need to quit whining and take responsibility for our lives and our situations. I think that goes for our spiritual lives as well as our fiscal and physical lives. It doesn’t do any good to blame McDonalds or Blue Bell for my extra pounds. I’m the one who packed them on, and if they are going to come off, I have to take responsibility and make some changes.

Back when that Nike ad came out, I always thought it would make a great sermon. I think we need to take the same kind of responsibility for our growth in things of the Spirit as we do for things of the flesh. If I want to get closer to God, I have to take some responsibility for that, and make some changes in my habits. That’s always the hard part. But if my theory about “Nike Spirituality” holds, we can make some strides there as well.

I want to encourage folks to make some of those changes, and not forget about their relationship with God this summer. I will be preaching on the concept of Godliness and what that means and how we can make those changes. Paul told Timothy, “Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for the present life and the life to come,” (1 Tim 4:8). Over the coming weeks, we will be looking at how to love better, have more joy and peace in our lives, as well as how to be more patient and kind. All of which is part of what it means to be Godly. The Sunday school class in the library will also be studying those same themes.

On Sunday evenings, we are having a Summer Bible study on the Gospel of John. The fourth Gospel has a unique perspective on the life of our Savior, and I think it will provide a spiritual boost for those who make the time to come.

I know summer schedules can get hectic, but if we won’t make time for God, it seems presumptive to want God to make time for us. So set aside a little extra time in your summer schedule and join us for worship on Sundays. I think you’ll be glad you did. Just do it!