There Is No Try

Brothers and sisters: We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 4:7-15)

We must strive to succeed – to not fail even when that outcome is far easier to achieve.  We must battle so as not to be constrained, perplexed, not driven to despair, persecuted, not abandoned, or struck down – not destroyed.  In other words, the life of Jesus should be manifested in our body for the sake of Jesus.  The life of Jesus should be manifested in our mortal flesh. We earthen vessels must rely on the surpassing power of God. 

Jesus reminds us that failure is not an option even when it is difficult to succeed at whatever task we take on in pursuit of bringing the Kingdom of God to Earth as it is in heaven. Our challenge is to realize the grace bestowed in abundance on us and then to glorify God by our lives. 

As a famous wise one [Yoda] told his pupil [Luke Skywalker]: "Do or do not, there is no try." We must just do it! Success happens when we never give up on Jesus, and we refuse to despair.

Deacon David Pierce