Author: Matt Carrao | 8/27/2017 10:55:23 PM
Rarely does a day go by that I don’t hear the phrase, “Hey, I tried”. Usually it is coming from the mouth of a student or athlete that is trying to justify their poor achievement.
Somewhere along the way they have been taught that trying is all that really matters. Perhaps in an endeavor to protect children’s fragile self-esteem, society has decided to lower the bar. The idea is that holding a student to a high standard is dangerous to the child. After all they may fail. Instead, this ideal focuses solely on the attempt. Please don’t get me wrong. It is very important, especially with young children, to encourage kids to try. Trying is definitely the first step. However, if we leave young people at this state we are actually sabotaging their ability to succeed in life.
Anyone that has held down a serious job in the workplace realizes very quickly that life is not about trying. When my boss calls me into his office and gives me a deadline on a project, I understand fully that he expects results. If I came back to my boss after the deadline and said, “Hey boss, sorry I didn’t get that done, but at least I tried”, I wonder how long I would have my job. In the “real world” trying is assumed, finding ways to succeed is what is valued.
At soccer practice the other day I had a young man take a horrendous looking shot on goal. I quickly responded to him, “What was that?” He retorted, “At least I tried coach”. Seizing the opportunity I took him aside and informed him that I was about to impart some life knowledge that was even more important than soccer. I told him, “In life, it does not matter if you try. It matters that you do your best. Did you do your best?” He smiled and said, “No coach”. I responded, “Go back and do it again.” As he started jogging back to the drill I called back, “By the way, I’ll let you know when you have done your best.”
This is a vital lesson that all young people must learn. Students must be taught how to assess themselves critically. This includes learning how to respond appropriately to failure. They need to get in the habit of measuring themselves by standards that are higher than them. It is illogical to expect any person to “grow” beyond what they are right now if their own personal opinion is their only source of constructive criticism. I evaluate athletes and students everyday. This evaluation is essential to producing healthy, well adjusted, and productive adults.
The Christian life is no different. We are called to evaluate our lives by the life and person of Jesus Christ as shown in the Bible. He is the ultimate standard. Yes, we may all fall short, but this is what we strive for. Philippians 3:12-14 “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
The bottom line is this: Jesus did not try, He succeeded. And because of His success we can have real hope and power to change not just ourselves but others. In the end I am not doing my job if I do not fully equip students to make personal and life evaluations based on solid Biblical principles.
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Are you “Trying” to be a “Good” person?
That is not what life is about, not what the “Life Saving” message of the Bible is.
Repent of your denied evil ways, believe and you will be saved, stop thinking just about yourself looking for love, looking for acceptance on your terms. (Lying, Being a User, Cheating), any means to get…Love and Happiness.
Again, walk on the path of Life ! You can start now.