In 1972, Blue Ribbon Sports became Nike®.

One of the most successful sports companies ever, Nike® began as a small distributor of Japanese running shoes, operated out of Phil Knight’s car. But founders of Blue Ribbon Sports, Bill Bowerman and Knight, had a greater vision: to design a lighter, more durable racing shoe for runners that would make them go faster.

The two combined marketing strategy and their own design for a “waffle” running shoe that eventually caught on in the running community. The company took off in 1972, when Knight developed the trademark swoosh (which he bought from an art student for $35) and changed the name to Nike. Years later, the company got its biggest boost when they signed NBA rookie Michael Jordan to endorse and launch the new Air Jordan shoes—the longest lasting line in all of shoe history.

Nike began selling running shoes not only to athletes, but to everyone. Its motto, “Just do it,” has become one of the most successful ad campaigns ever, lasting more than 12 years. The slogan was Nike’s way of telling people, no matter who they are, that if they wear the shoes, they can do it!

It’s not a bad slogan for our faith. If you believe in Jesus and have the Holy Spirit, you will be able to “Just do it!” Paul says that to Timothy in his parting words to his young friend. Timothy had been facing opposition to his leadership and his message because of his youth. In what is essentially a fired-up pep talk, Paul urges Timothy to be bold—to go for it, to just do it. Because Timothy had the Holy Spirit, he had a faith based in power, love, and discipline.

If you have the Holy Spirit, you do too. Just do it!

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:6, 7).

To Do

Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the strength and boldness to share your faith with your non-Christian friends.

Also on this day

1832—The first streetcar went into operation.

1889—New York World reporter Nellie Bly began an attempt to surpass the fictitious journey of Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. Bly succeeded by finishing the journey in 72 days, 6 hours, and 11 minutes.

1969—Apollo 12 blasted off for the moon from Cape Kennedy, Florida.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.