Editorial May 20, 1991 Issue

"Just do it"

Allison W. Phinney

There is a sign that shows up these days in gyms, team locker rooms, and workout areas. The sign says "Just do it." Committed, disciplined athletes apparently don't need to be told what the phrase means. They get a world of lean, taut meaning from those three short words.

The rest of us may benefit from some translation. Essentially the phrase means, Stop talking, complaining, postponing! Act! Do what you are supposed to do. Get the job done. And do it now, whether you think you feel like it or not.

The message can serve as a short, potent reminder to those who are striving to follow the discipline of scientific Christianity. Most of us need to do more of what we know can be done. Instead of doubting our capacity to do it or waiting for a "less busy time," a time when we have "learned more," we see that we can plunge in and just do it. And this doesn't mean "preparing," giving serious thought to the possibility, or giving some appearance of doing it. It means acting.

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