DEVOTION / Carolyn Davidson $35 logo
Carolyn Davidson created the Nike Swoosh logo in 1971. She was paid $35. That amounts to $2.00 for each of the 17.5 hours she billed Phil Knight, the founder of Nike.
A $35 logo
$35. For a logo that today is recognized worldwide. $35. For a logo that belongs to a global company that is currently worth $176 billion.
To be fair, Nike has since honored Davidson for her contribution to its success. Nike eventually threw a party in her honor, gave her a generous amount of stock in the company (estimated at $1,000,000), and provided her with a diamond and gold ring featuring the Swoosh design.
But, still, $35.
Selling Jesus short
How often have you traded the eternal fortune Jesus has won for you for a meager $35? How often have you played the part of Esau selling his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup? How often have you heard Peter's denial on your lips, "I don't know the man," so that you might avoid conflict? Maybe your $35 sale happened in exchange for
a moment's pleasure.
a shot at a promotion.
popularity with the right group.
Jesus still makes up the difference
Want some good news? Jesus has made it possible for you to recover from your $35 fiasco. He also has prepared an eternal party for you. And he has showered you with an infinite amount of stock in his infinitely wealthy soul-saving business. And, like the prodigal son went he returned home, he has rings for you that testify to your restored status as a child of God.
"This saying is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance," Paul writes, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).
Sinners. Those who deny their relationship with him. Those who choose fleeting pleasure or prosperity over the Prince of Peace. Those who measure friendships with humans as more valuable than Jesus-won adoption in God's family. Sinners. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
Jesus came into the world to offer spiritually fickle people like me and you forgiveness. And to show himself to be the reason we hold him as the treasure we never want to trade away. Not for $35. Not for $35 billion. Not for anything.
Prayer
Precious Savior, forgive me for the many ways I sell the treasure of your resurrection short. Cheer me with the right standing you have won for me through your life and death. Move me to hold you more dear than anything this life offers.