The NIKE Principle

ACTION (def.) energetic activity, an exertion of power or force; a change in organs, tisssues, or cells leading to performance of a function, as in muscular contraction; something done, an act or deed.

This thought of action is what Nike had in mind with it’s now internationally recognized slogan “Just Do It.” Take action.

In one of James Allen's lesser known books, "Byways of Blessedness", he devotes the entire first chapter to beginnings. He writes, "Most beginnings are small, and appear trivial and insignificant, but in reality they are the most important things in life."

Ideas are practically worthless ink on paper until some action is taken to put it into motion. A plan never becomes valuable until action is taken. Without a beginning they will someday be filed in the “round file” and be lost to the world. We often talk as James Allen did of “small beginnings.” Truthfully there are no small or large, significant or insignificant beginnings, important or unimportant beginnings. There are just beginnings, and every accomplishment in life, no matter where we place them on man’s scale of greatness or importance, is the result of initial ACTION. The greatest of plans can be the greatest failure if no action it taken. Yet, even incomplete or what seems to be insignificant plans result in great success because someone was willing to take action. Too often we procrastinate. The definition of procrastinate is to delay action.

When Jeff Bezos decided to start Amazon.com, he left his job on the East Coast and headed to Washington State. He had his wife drive him and their belongings across the country so that he could stay on the phone constantly; convincing potential investors and vendors why Amazon would be a success.

Even the smallest of actions can lead to great success. Sir Isaac Newton's principle that a "body at rest tends to remain at rest and a body in motion tends to remain in motion," definitely applies to the action principle. Once you've taken the first step (even a baby step), the next steps seem easier to take.

But there is another principle that is important to success in life. It is FOCUS. Have you ever been in conversation with someone, and they took off in a different direction on another story or topic? Then they paused to say, “But I digress.” Often in life we take action, we start moving, but then someone where along the way “we digress.” The definition of digress is “to deviate or wander away from the main purpose in speaking or writing.” Since digress applies to speaking and writing “detour” would be the better word for our purpose today. We start, we take action and head down the path of the plan but take a detour. We have to focus on the plan, the purpose and stick with it.

Some of you that read these everyday are saying, “Okay, okay but don’t just give me a motivational talk. Where the Scripture?” Here it is... Philippians 3:13-14 “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Paul uses a couple of words here that are important. DO speaks of action. Not one thing I talk about, plan for, write down, but DO... take action. ONE thing speaks of focus. Not a dozen I dabble in, but ONE thing I DO. Let’s try that. Find the one thing that could make the most difference and DO IT.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know You have a plan and purpose for my life. Give me wisdom to know what that plan and purpose is, give me the strength and courage to take action, and a resolve to focus on Your priorities for my life. AMEN.

Blessings!
Pastor Roger