Week 1 | Day 1 | Nike!

Command:

Do not worry about your life. Luke 12:22 (NIV)

Read:

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21(NIV)

Reflect:

I often find myself bombarded by the ideas of a culture that are counter to the ways of Christ. This troubles me. It seems the ways of the world are trending toward chaos and disintegration. The ways of the prevailing culture can be very distressing with a constant barrage of dysfunctional ways of thinking and behaving that are not only promoted but imposed. I’m sometimes overwhelmed and anxious about the future. This is disheartening, and it erodes my sense of security.

Then, I discovered that the Greek word translated “overcome” in the New Testament is Nike (that's right, as in the shoe) meaning to win. Now, when I see the Nike logo, I think of scriptures where Nike is used such as, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21(NIV), and “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 (NIV)

When I pause and notice the presence of Christ and consider the wisdom of his ways, I can hear him say, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” John 16:33 (NIV). Let that sink in, “In this world you will have trouble.” But, “In me you may have peace.” When I give too much attention to the angry and divisive noise of the world I succumb to anger and anxiety. But giving acute attention to the words of the one who overcomes the world, moves me into the realm of his peace and gives me the energy to overcome.

React:

When we feel overwhelmed by the world, let us declare, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors (Nike) through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (NIV)

Pray:

Today I will overcome because you Lord are in me, and you have already overcome.