Our Modus Operandi

For many years now, Nike has had a slogan, “Just Do it!” In fact, it was 1995 –29 years ago– when Nike first began using the phrase, inspiring people to feel empowered and free to chase their dreams.
I suppose Nike’s marketing slogan is among the most enduring of all time. The reason for this, I am guessing, is because it resonates with the sinful nature of mankind. The sinful nature is desire that does not want to be restrained. It is desire for this instant as well as the next. The sinful nature rejoices in triumphs, in goals reached and successes of all types. But its willingness to celebrate these things is momentary and fleeting. In an instant it is on to the next desire. In an instant, it raises the bar—once again—never satisfied with the success that you thought would be enough.
Our parents raised us saying, “Think before you act.” We were taught to weigh risks, necessary resources, and downstream consequences of the “good ideas” we had. But that kind of instruction, however good, is not what the sinful nature wants to hear. “Just do it!” is the sinful nature’s love language.
As Christians, we must contrast the above with the Lord’s command to Israel, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Ps 46:10). Likewise, He said, “In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength…” Isa 30:15. The nation of Israel never believed and could not follow these instructions. But these verses are also prophetic of a people that would have faith in Jesus Christ. These people would receive, through His death and resurrection, “everything they needed for life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3). God, His Father, would bring them into His Kingdom, calling them, “righteous, holy, and blameless” because of His Son’s work on the cross. Almighty God would be theirs, and they would be His.
Of course, I am talking about us—the church. And the verse, “Be still and know that I am God” is our modus operandi; it is the way we live. This is not to say that we sit around and do nothing. Rather, it is to say that in this world we will have trouble, trials, questions, problems, desires and hopes. In every one of these, our Way is to trust Jesus for deliverance and direction, for answers and comfort. He has promised us. His promises are great, He does not lie and never fails; therefore, it is our joy to wait on the Lord.
There is a part of your earthly existence that will tell you it is NOT a joy to wait on the Lord. That sentiment comes from your flesh-the remnant of the sinful nature that once ruled you. It urges you to, “Just do it.” It wants to handle the problems of this world in the old human way, and to do so immediately. To deal with this conflict between the desires of the sinful nature and your true life in Christ, He has given you a precious gift: prayer. When we pray, our soul joins together with the Spirit living in us to focus on God’s sovereignty. We are giving Him our hopes, concerns, and cares. The Spirit helps us with the words. Praying is trusting in action. It is believing. To pray is to just be still, in relation to the problem we face, and the sinful nature that wants to react. Prayer is yours at all times, until the end of time.