Friday, October 7, 2011

Do or do not. There is no try?



Not a chance...

As much as I love science fiction and specifically the Star Wars series, I wouldn't dare use a quote from George Lucas' psuedo-mythological script as one of my favorite quotes. While the now famous title-line quote from the green, pint-sized Jedi Master Yoda has been greatly helped to popularity by some ingenious marketing, the advise falls flat when closely scrutinized in my opinion.


To my liking, I find this quote much sounder guidance when it comes to a matter of character:


Tis a lesson you should heed:
Try, try, try again.
If at first you don't succeed,
Try, try, try again 



William Edward Hickson is credited with coining the now famous last line in the mid-1800's. While you can certainly find positive adage in an approach to any task with a succeed-only mentality, reality dictates that a 100% success rate in every endeavor is not only improbable...it's practically impossible.   

Unless you're Jesus that is...

But, even that's not completely accurate.  While Jesus was perfect as a man in every way, He didn't have a 100% success rate when it came to convincing everyone the message of the Good News...but He sure did try...and try...and try again and again. Even when He left this world, He gave us not only instructions and directions to keep on trying, but He gave a Helper to guide and encourage us in the effort.

Do you put forth a diligent effort to evangelize and minister daily in His name? Do you easily discourage in the face of adversity, rejection or even blatant ridicule? Are you easily diverted from your Divinely-directed commission  by worldly obstacles or even worse just petty emotions?

Keep this fact in mind...the time for trying is finite. The results, however, are not.

Be about the Father's business with diligence and perseverance.


1 comment:

Sincerity said...

Great post and to the point. I agree that we need to keep a positive attitude and keep striving to do better in all we do.

But as you already said, its not possible to do our best in everything. And I never considered the perspective you gave about Jesus trying and being unable to reach others too.

That really put his humanity and Godly love in a new perspective for me. Thanks so much for sharing!