Trying and Doing

Annie M. Knott

ONE of the meanings of the verb to try is to attempt, or to put forth an effort, and it is simply astonishing how often trying is made to take the place in human experience of actual doing. It is possibly a step in advance of the position of those who "say, and do not," and who for this reason were severely censured by Christ Jesus; but those who merely "try" to do what God's law requires, need to arouse themselves for truer effort. If there is any doubt on the part of a sincere follower of Truth as to what he can accomplish, he has but to recall the assuring words of St. Paul, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." The apostle undoubtedly reached this conviction by pressing on from trying to doing, from attempt to achievement.

When Moses was bidden to lead his people out of captivity, he did not even say that he would try. Like the men in Jesus' parable of the great supper, he began to make excuses, but one by one these were set aside by the divine Mind,—by Him who speaks and it is done, who commands and His decree stands fast. When Moses pleaded his own lack of eloquence, he was told to go to Egypt and speak to Pharaoh, and God said: "I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." God did not demand of him results, for these were dependent upon omnipotence; but unwavering obedience was called for, and Moses soon learned that aught less than this would interpose a barrier between the divine will and its activity on the human plane.

After Moses had gone to Egypt and had done all that divine wisdom required of him, he was ready at the command of Truth to bid the children of Israel "stand still," or "go forward," ready himself to obey, despite their outcries and reproaches. A path through the Red Sea was then prepared, and guided by Mind's symbol, "the pillar of fire and of the cloud," they safely reached the shore. Soon thereafter the command was given to Moses and his people to hearken diligently to the voice of God, then to "do that which is right in his sight," and with this dual command came the promise of exemption from disease, accompanied by the divine declaration, "I am the Lord that healeth thee."

Some years ago Mrs. Eddy was talking with one of her students respecting steps to be taken in the advance of the Christian Science movement, and she asked the student to do certain things which to the one addressed seemed as difficult as that which was required of Moses. The student however said she would "try," but was at once told that this was not sufficient. "Will you do it?" was the question which followed, and no lengthy process of reasoning was needed to make it clear that unhesitant obedience to what was obviously the call of Truth must be yielded, and so there was a prompt "I will." The lesson of the hour, however, was the difference between trying and doing, and it was never forgotten.

Usually when one says he will "try," the possibility of failure is to him a definite element of the situation, which means that one is, perhaps unconsciously, thinking of himself as an "independent" worker (see Science and Health, p. 263). It goes without saying that God cannot fail, nor can the divine purpose fail. "None can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" was the conclusion reached by Nebuchadnezzar, who learned the utter folly of attempting to resist the divine will. On page 249 of Science and Health we read: "Either there is no omnipotence, or omnipotence is the only power." If on our part we are "workers together with him," with God, the mortal sense of heaven and earth shall pass away, but the results of our doing shall never pass away. Some there are who see only failure in the work of Christ Jesus, but the one who sees spiritually witnesses daily to its complete success as he presses on in the light of Christian Science, remembering the Master's words, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."

Annie M. Knott.

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