by David Thompson
NASHVILLE, TN – Nike is a Greek word more than 2000 years old, and it means “overcomer” or “victorious one”. The modern-day company that brands the name simply states “Just Do It”. Are you supposed to be an overcomer if you are a follower of The Lord Jesus Christ? The answer is simple—“Yes” and “No”... and you may want to slap me right now—“I forgive you”.
First, the answer is no—not if the standard is set and determined by the world, not if it is based on who has the most tik-tok followers or has achieved some earthly success. Second, the answer is yes for every child of the King if the metric is from God’s vantage point… you see dear friend, every single one in the family of God has one eternal destiny—and that is to be an overcomer!
Good news—it has nothing to do with your circumstances, “ they overcame by the (Blood of the Lamb)…And the word of their testimony” says the disciple whom Jesus loved—banished John. That absolute FACT does not dismiss your daily resolve. Here now an admonition from God—“whatever your hand finds to do… (Just Do It) with all your might” the Old Testament. That has everything to do with our testimony.
Let’s examine how. President Reagan said in 1985, “there are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect”. I say, “Amen!” It was true then and it is true now. It has always been true. Then it begs the question, what wall is hindering you? Next question: What are you going to do about it?
Your testimony has to do with your direction. Ralph Waldo Emerson noted, “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going“. Maybe you are stuck in neutral. My advice is to pick a direction for the glory of God and GO! What I suggest is the opposite of just “Dreaming Big”! In fact, Carl Jung puts it like this, ”Your vision only becomes clear when you look (deep) into your own heart… who looks outside, dreams… who looks inside—awakes”. Or as my good friend Mike Connor likes to say, “you just need to look in the mirror for a minute”. So, what’s the problem—why do we all get stuck in a rut?
One reason is we stop growing, call it “a lack of faith“—more simply, we compromise. Ayn Rand touts, “live and act within the limit of your knowledge, but keep expanding it to the limit of your life.” Just as we only use 10 percent of our brain, some only live 10 percent of the potential of their life. Is this why God tells us—“whatever your hand finds to do—do it with all your might”?
Now thankfully, I remind you that these efficacious efforts are not what gain you entrance to Heaven—ahhh! But it does determine your level of belief in it all. I love what one coach preached, “we have a mandatory dress code when we work out, practice or play as a team. We all dress exactly alike. If you want to draw attention to yourself around here, then outwork your teammates”. Coach Bear Bryant said that. I love it! Trust me—there are no “Super Children of God”. We all wear the same “blood of Jesus.” But shouldn’t we at least outwork the unbeliever. You may have the worst job or position or status in the world—doesn’t matter, ”Whatever your hand finds to do—JUST DO IT, with all your might… and for the glory of God! Because you, my friend, are an OVERCOMER!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. David L. Thompson holds an undergraduate degree from Belmont University in Psychology and Religion, a graduate degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Education, and a doctorate in Counseling and Pastoral Psychology. He has served as a chairman of the Church Planting Group and Executive Committee Chair at the North American Mission Board for 10 years. He has been a Police Chaplain since 1991 and served as a Corporate Chaplain to the Coca Cola Bottling Company in Nashville, Tennessee where he resides with his wife. He has six children and five grandsons.