“Just Do It,” the slogan coined by the shoe company Nike, is not just a catchy and memorable phrase. The words also form a compelling call to action: don’t overthink, don’t overanalyze—take a risk and do it!
The Bible is filled with “just do it” moments:
- Noah built an ark, just as God commanded him, and God delivered humanity and all the wild animals and livestock in the ark from a catastrophic deluge (Genesis 6-8). Just do it!
- Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt after God had spoken to him from within a burning bush (Exodus 3-12). Just do it!
- David, a young shepherd boy, confronted a fierce giant with only a sling and a stone and took him down, declaring, “The battle is the Lord’s!” (1 Samuel 17). Just do it!
- Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal and asked God to answer him so that the people would know that He is God. The fire of the Lord fell, and the people knew that the Lord is God (1 Kings 18). Just do it!
- Peter preached the Gospel, and many who heard the message believed (Acts 4). Just do it!
- Saul, a zealous persecutor of the Church, was powerfully confronted by the resurrected Christ and commissioned to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. In response, he was baptized and preached in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 9). Just do it!
This is just a portion of the long list of ordinary people who were called by the Holy Spirit to step out of their comfort zone and attempt great things for God. They were willing to “just do it.”
Over Christmas, my grandson’s friend was going through a tough time. His mother had been diagnosed with a serious lung infection, and a tumor in her right lung was causing significant pain. The most routine activities were excruciating, and even with high doses of morphine, it was becoming difficult to function. She is a single mom on a very low income, and my daughter was trying to help out as she could. In the midst of these very challenging circumstances, the mother’s son became sick.
Agnes, my wife, and I felt led to pray for her and her son, so we arranged to make a brief visit and drop off some Christmas gifts. When we arrived at their home, the mother was very pleased to see us; however, when I offered to pray for her, she was hesitant. She said that she was feeling overwhelmed, and that this was not the best time. She was bent forward, clutching her right side because the pain was so intense. Her breathing was shallow, and every breath was agonizing. When I offered to pray for her son, she readily agreed. He had a serious ear infection and a high fever. I laid my hands on his shoulders and prayed for God’s healing over his body. We expressed to them both that they were loved, and that we were available to help.
As we started to leave, I had a strong urgency in my heart to pray for her. I heard the Spirit of God say, “Do it!” I reached out my hand towards her and said, “I would really like to pray for you.” I began to pray, asking God to pour out His love on her and to heal her physical body. She said that she felt very encouraged, and Agnes and I shared our commitment to keep praying.
A few weeks later, my daughter met with her and was amazed to see how ecstatic she was about what had happened that night. Her son had been healed immediately, and she had experienced relief instantaneously; over the following days, all her symptoms had left. She was able to lift her hands over her head and take deep breaths without any discomfort. In fact, she kept taking deep breaths to prove to my daughter how miraculous this was. She has been telling all her friends about the special healing power that she had experienced. My daughter kept telling her that it was Jesus who healed her.
I am always amazed by how God uses ordinary people who simply obey His voice. Right now, as you read these words, some of you are feeling a tug in your heart, a pull from the Holy Spirit to “do it.” Perhaps you feel Him leading you to make a phone call to encourage a friend, pray for someone in need, or mend a broken relationship. You may never know what amazing thing God is about to do unless you step up and step in. Why not start right now and just do it?
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