Words can be powerful; they express emotions and even evoke memories so deep that we are brought to tears. They convey our intentions with one another and really are a gift from God when used properly. Words also give us a mechanism to seek, understand and communicate with Him.
There is another side to our use of words. Of course, we can use words to wound and harm. The bullying that has sadly become more prevalent with the age of social media is an example of the misuse of words and language. We’ve also become accustomed to the use of words and phrases that hold little meaning. The example I want to focus on for this editorial is the phrase: “I’ll try.” We’ve all used this a time or two in our lives and likely meant well. I’ve read a perspective on this from a business strategist. His take on the phrase “I’ll try,” is that one is conveying an attempt to do something, yet, also hedging one’s bets, or leaving ourselves a convenient escape valve. The idea is that the person is signaling that perhaps they will not be successful or will fail if they try. As though constructing a safety net in advance will inoculate the person from criticism and failure.
In 2017, an American free climber, Alex Honnold, made history and redefined what athleticism means by climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without the use of ropes or equipment. In preparing for this, Mr. Honnold had completed many other challenging climbs. In reading his comments about the climbs, I noticed he never used the phrase, “I’ll try to do this.” He simply prepared to do it, and then went forward. Had he failed in his bid to ascend El Capitan, he still would have won in so many respects. He did not pave the way with the cushion of potential failure.
The word “try” is used 134 times in the Bible and in relation to humans, it may convey what a person will attempt to do, such as one trying to till the land. When it relates to God and His promise for those He calls and who obey, He is always clear. He does not attempt to do something; He commits to it. He implores His people to “try” Him or test Him and He promises to be constant.
In Numbers 14:22-23, we read: “Because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.” Other translations will use the words try me, rather than test, but the point is made; God requires no equivocation, and no cushion. He sets His hand to something, and He does it. He wants His followers to live with the same commitment in our relationship with Him, and in these verses, He is citing His displeasure with His people for their disobedience.
In Psalm 139:23, we see David imploring God to try him, to search him and know him: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties.” This is unnecessary as God knows all about each of us; He knows our shortcomings and our strengths. Still, David is correct in wanting God to know him and throughout this chapter, he is stating his intention of remaining close to God.
Perhaps a more accurate word choice for true Christians in our calling to follow God is that we endeavour (or endeavor) to follow Him. According to Vocabulary.com, The Middle English root of the word “endeavour means to put oneself in or do one’s utmost, so if you endeavour to do something, you do it with earnestness and significant effort.” The U.S. Space Agency—NASA, named one of its space shuttles built in 1987 “Endeavour.” NASA was honoring the HMS Endeavour, the first ship used by the British explorer Captain James Cook. Back in the days of sailing vessels such as the Endeavour, one did not try to make the journey—they truly endeavored to do so. It was life or death and rarely in between. Ironically, it may have been riskier to set sail around the cape of Africa than to sit atop over 3 million pounds of fuel to lift Endeavour into orbit 400 miles above the earth.
In our calling we also must endeavour to obey—that means putting our hearts and minds fully into our commitment. Romans 12:11 illustrates this well: “Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” Fervent in spirit means we are fully committed in our pursuit of God’s Kingdom. We must never justify our failure to obey with a cushion of weakness.
There is a good modern example of this inherent weakness in a photo of the actor Chris Pratt as he portrayed a lazy fellow in a popular sitcom. The photo includes his comment: “I’ll Try; Don’t Expect Much.” This is truly a statement on society. Don’t count on me to show up for work, to do what I say, and to stand up for God. Contrast this with God’s promise for us as he urges us to try Him and see the result. We see this in Malachi 3:10: “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.” For our faith, obedience and trust in God, He will bestow such blessings on His people such that it will overwhelm us. God never backs away from us, He does not need an excuse, and He is the foundation of our lives—now and forever.
In 1 Peter 1:15, we read the admonition for us to endeavour to be as constant in our faith as God is with us: “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”
Think about how we wish others to view us; not as one who shifts with the winds, but as a strong, reliable person. First, we must strive for this standard in our relationship with God—to be consistent in our obedience to Him.
