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Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:14-16
For many years the sports apparel company Nike has promoted its products through the slogan, “Just Do It.” From a marketing perspective, this is brilliant. It affirms your desires to follow your dreams. It encourages you to power through the work that accompanies athletic success. It aligns you with world-famous athletes who inspire you to emulate them. And most importantly, it convinces you to look good and feel great spending your money buying clothing with their swoosh logo on it (it is a business). Bottom line – it teaches you that when you drop the excuses and want to get started working toward your goals, all you really need to do is do it.
My guess is that my readers are split on that idea:
- Some of you agree completely, thinking that it is just that simple
- Others of you are in total disagreement because that idea doesn’t account for many circumstances that might now allow a person to just start
- The first group are now discrediting the second groups argument as just another excuse
- The second group now thinks group one is insensitive and viewing this too simplistically
- Group one called group two lazy
- Group two called group one haters
Now before I need to send all of you to time out, let’s look at this from a different perspective.
You’re both wrong! (feel better?)
When it comes to physical activity, getting started is hard because there are many excuses that will prevent you from making it happen. Once you get started, making it into a habit is hard because it is grueling, and your body and mind may not be ready for the pain that comes with progress. Once you have made it a habit, overcoming the injuries becomes hard. It’s also hard deciding what activities you will discontinue to provide more time to keep pushing yourself physically. So, as I see it, it’s not that simple. Then again staying on the couch, caressing that bag of potato chips isn’t as easy as you might think either. Inactivity has its own series of traps and pitfalls that will lead a person to any number of physical struggles that are very unhealthy. So, thriving in a sedentary lifestyle is also very hard.
Unfortunately, fitness isn’t the only part of life where the circumstances are both easy, yet difficult to avoid. There are lots of things we do that we shouldn’t!
- I know gawking at the fender bender on the side of the highway is dangerous and could cause a backup or a crash, but…
- I know that I shouldn’t hold a grudge against that person who was so mean to me, but…
- I know I should put more time into studying for that test, but…
- I know I need to get to bed and not stay up to watch the end of this movie I have seen a dozen times before, but…
I could continue but I think you get the point. And these are all things that are within our control to stop if we want to. It is a simple choice! Imagine what you’d face if the circumstance was completely beyond our ability to control it.
A student with ADHD can not always control their actions. They are often impulsive in their behaviors and simply telling them to “not do that again” and to “control themselves next time” isn’t going to provide a permanent solution. Does this make these circumstances the fault of the child? Shouldn’t they be able to just do it?
Sure, just like you and I can choose to overcome sin.
Ouch.
Of the billions of people who have at one time or another lived on planet Earth, only One has successfully endured the temptations of sin. But even though Jesus was able to live without sin, He still endured the consequences of it. What’s even more amazing is that He did for us! He made the choice to die, redeeming those who cannot choose to be freed from the burdens of our sin-saturated nature. His death gives us life.
May we always remember to give thanks to God for His great love for us, and for His Son who when given the chance to save us decided to just do it.
Devotion by Richard Schumacher
LSEM Director of Programs & Services
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