The Myth of Trying Harder

If you are anything like me, you probably find yourself often saying, “I could have done that better.” Or maybe it goes like this: you actually are feeling pretty OK about how things are and have perhaps even just gotten done “patting yourself on the back” only to have a Scripture come to mind, or to hear the words of a song or hymn, or find out a piece of news and come to the realization that, “I have fallen so short . . .”

I find that I regularly experience both instances. In terms of my faith journey and Christian growth I find such dichotomous phrases like “more often should,” “less often should,” “with greater intensity,” “with less intensity,” and the like to occupy a prominent position in my inner and outer dialogue. I have an acquaintance who once told me, “I can take a car apart and put it back together again with only a hammer and a chisel.” While this may be true, I prefer to have a lot more and various kinds of tools. There is a type of trap in thinking that greater efficiency and productivity as a car mechanic lie in greater quantities and varieties of hand and power tools. The tool guys know this (no offense meant to Sherman and Donovan!) and have profited well by me over my years of fixing cars. But I wonder if you and I do not often fall into this same trap in terms of Christian growth and in the transition to become like more like Christ?

A friend and I were having lunch a week or so ago and the topic of conversation swung to Christian living. In the middle of our conversation the realization hit me: Jesus never once told anyone to try harder. He said things like “come,” “believe,” “pray,” “watch,” and the most significant which is “abide.” But never once did He say “try harder.”

In the book of Matthew the Bible reports,

Then Peter called to him [Jesus], “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

I have heard this story preached as Jesus speaking in a condescending manner to Peter with derision in His voice regarding Peter’s lack of faith. Yet I must ask, what father or mother is there who would, in love, castigate their child over their child’s clumsiness in responding to a bid to come? I would therefore propose Jesus’ address to Peter was more likely with endearment and warmth in His voice than harshness and condescension. This view seems more closely aligned with Who Jesus was and with His character.

Although this makes for an interesting picture, I seriously doubt that any of us has ever walked by an orange tree or the like and heard the branches grunting or panting in their exertion to produce an orange. Not only would we find this shocking on a surface level, but I believe our psyche would find this outrageous be we know that an orange tree will produce an orange in due time given the right environment.

The Bible says,

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;

Jesus likewise says,

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

I am not diminishing the value of spiritual disciplines; however, the Scriptures make known a deeper truth. The Bible labels trying harder in and of ourselves “deeds of the flesh” and emphatically states spiritual fruit and the glory of God (the results of a life lived in an with Christ and His Spirit) will not result—the true result will be something else entirely.

What a demonstration of God’s grace, majesty, and glory is it that the life our souls desire—the life we are commanded to live out (see especially Matthew 6-8)—does not result from exertion and grunting away in the orange grove of life but in the continual process of simply abiding in the Son of God! I have learned too well that abiding is not an easy process. But I tell you the truth, it is certain to be ultimately less challenging than a 365, 24/7 spiritual “Iron Man” competition that the Bible says won’t get me where I want to go even if I did eventually win.

Why don’t we determine to stop “trying harder to” and to start “abiding in”. Let’s stop right here to examine our roots and see in what or in whom are we abiding.

While listening to the song I’ve posted let’s spend some time in confession and re-centering our lives in Christ, the Saviour King.