Do. Or do not. There is no try. - September 20, 2023

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 72; PM Psalm 119:73-96; 1 Kings 22:1-28; 1 Cor. 2:1-13; Matt. 4:18-25

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” - Yoda

This week, I was able to observe a therapist at work with a group counseling session of people struggling deeply with depression. Goal setting was at the heart of the counselor’s agenda that day, though the participants met his attempts with varied levels of willingness to incorporate such rules and framework into their daily schedules. And I get it. I live many days upon a pendulum where either I have a penchant for putting structure to every detail of our lovely, messy life, or I go with the flow and hold space for the needs and cares of the moment.

As the therapist engaged the men and women in the session, I could hear one participant wrestling with a goal. The idea of the desired result was there. She could even put words to it. She had enrolled in classes. Her perseverance and motivation to get started were lacking. A few times in conversation, the participant said she would try to begin…that she would try to work on some SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound) goals. When I think of her now, I see the image of an enormous speed bump blocking any efforts for her to move forward.

Then, the dynamic in the room shifted. The counselor said to the “stuck” participant, “Let’s do something. Try to stand up.” The person arose from her chair and stood up.

“Sit down. Do it again. Try to stand up.”

She looked at him quizzically and stood up. And then sat down, knowing that his teaching was not sinking in yet.

“Try to stand.”

Ah! This time, she leaned forward in her chair and did not move further. There were noises of understanding and comprehension among the group.

The therapist said, “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”

Silence. Someone asked him to repeat himself. He said it again: “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”

Another participant or two began chuckling after a moment and said, “Star Wars!” The therapist smiled and conceded that he was quoting Yoda, the mighty little green Jedi master who taught Luke Skywalker about using the Force.

This story bubbles up for me this morning as I read about Jesus recruiting followers in his ministry. Walking along the Sea of Galilee, he calls out to Peter and Andrew. They leave their nets and follow him. James and John stop their other tasks of life and follow Jesus. They go and do. The ministry and model Jesus demonstrates is one of living fully. It is a call to go and be and do. The disciples do not say, “Okay, Jesus – we will try to follow you.” They just do it. And when the ailing come flocking to Jesus for healing, the Son of God removes the speed bumps that preclude them from living fully into God’s love. He heals the stricken, expels the evil spirits, calms the synapses of those who are epileptic, frees the muscles of those who are paralyzed. He cures them all (Matthew 4:24). And he does this in a community of support – and with the love of God the Father.

Jesus is not calling us to try to live as followers and believers. Jesus is calling us to follow him. To believe in him. We will stumble. And with God’s help, we will get up. So, do. Or do not. There is no try.

Katherine+

Questions for Self-Reflection and Daily Challenge:

What does it mean to you to live into the love and Good News of Jesus? What goals will you set for living a Christian existence today? Use the framework of setting SMART goals – those that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, one could say, “I will read the Gospel of Matthew for ten minutes on three different days this week.”Or, “I will pray for those on the parish prayer list on Wednesday and then send a card of encouragement to one person on that list.” Use the framework of goal setting to live into your faith in concrete ways this week.