Trying And Not Trying

WED., DEC. 31, 1986, 10:25 AM
HENRY’S, ORLANDO

You expected a kind of year end review, with some specific comments about this present car dilemma, but I choose to offer you this Teaching on one of the most important balances of life – trying and not trying. You are ready, o son, after days of driving to hear My words. Be as little concerned about this present situation as possible. I am involved, and it is of minor consequence for your life. I shall assist as I can.

This dynamic balance of which I speak on this grey day is of very little consequence to many humans, but for many different reasons. On the other hand, for you and the culture of which you are a part it is a constantly reoccurring circumstance. Your culture teaches that human effort is essential to the best results. Trying is even more important than succeeding. Lauded nearly as much as the winner (particularly when victory comes without great effort) is the one who gives his all, even in losing or not succeeding. The Gospel record certainly can translate to a call, for Christians to try… to do good and resist evil… to seek perfection by trying to do all that I, and the preacher Paul, say you must.

So goodness comes from trying, in both your religious and secular spheres. What, then, is the value in not trying? Trying can be exhilarating, but also tension-producing and stressful. You have a goal of getting your small car back, and you are trying hard to achieve this. You can feel the tension that this is producing, and you rightly wonder whether any of this would be worth a breakdown of your body functioning. You certainly are not “flowing along with life” in these days, and it feels unhealthy.

In the realm of religion and spirit you know about grace, which is the big benefit of not trying. You will not be judged, ultimately, on whether you succeeded in getting the car back in running condition for a minimum of currency… or not. The major focus of judgment is on your acceptance of Me, the Triune God, and of the fact that you need not try, for I did it all. The most important pages you write are these on green paper, and you really don’t have to try to have the words come forth. In fact, if you do try to determine what is written the whole thing can become a jumble. You didn’t earn these lessons, and you need not try to receive them. They are, like grace, freely given to one not particularly deserving.

Yet didn’t I know that you were one inclined and motivated toward achievement… toward trying? Of course I did. My purpose is not to make you over into a laid-back acceptor of life, “any ol’ way.” I can use your efforts, but I also must remind you of the benefits of not-trying. If I exerted efforts to answer every prayer of supplication offered to Me, even I, with untold capacities, would be a holy wreck. Generally, then, just let things roll along, influencing somewhat here and there, and observing the functioning of My creation.

So here you are, in an “away-from-home” place, with a malfunctioning machine and some people who may or may not be able to help. You have been trying and devising alternatives and carrying these out. Success eludes you. Now stand back and stop trying. Enjoy yourself and the company you are in. Do other worthwhile things. Know that grace is not affected by the results of this caper. Know that I care, but am more interested in prayers of thanks than of supplication. Be truly interested in how this comes out, but detach yourself from the turmoil. Don’t try, just detach… give up your attachment.