Get-R-Done

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In the midst of a recent heat wave, my wife, Amparo, and I chose to paint our tool shed in the back yard. Ill-conceived timing maybe, but for various reasons, we needed to get it done.

It’s a big, wooden shed and several times I wanted to quit for the day. But while sweating profusely and ignoring the aches in arms, feet and legs, I kept going, thinking of the phrase, “get’er done,” the term popularized by comedian Larry the Cable Guy.

I may have seen Larry in a few promotions on TV but don’t recall ever having seen one of his acts. But the online site, “Urban Dictionary” declares the term is “an utterly stupid expression apparently coined by … Larry, which more or less means "do it…."

"Just Do It"

Similarly, Nike, the athletic shoe manufacturer, promotes its products with the slogan, “Just Do It.”

These phrases may appear to be mindless expressions of impatience with the details of a job, promoting a thoughtless rush to simply finish it. But like many such popular slogans, get-r-done has a kernel of truth. We tend to put off tasks and decisions, including the most important in our lives, while continuing to consider them, ponder them, research them and think them to death.

We who are searching for God, for instance, at some point must suspend our endless questions, doubts and internal debates to make a commitment. In my opinion, we should never stop questioning, which is sometimes referred to as “faith seeking understanding.” But it’s possible that the continued questioning and seeking answers is an excuse for putting off a commitment to God and religious faith.

For people searching for God in the Christian tradition, this need to “get-r-done” is evident in the readings in a recent weekend liturgy.

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Luke’s gospel tells of two people, one of whom Jesus asked to be a disciple, the other who volunteered. To the first, Jesus said, “Follow me.”

“But he said, ‘Lord let me go and first bury my father.’ But Jesus answered, ‘Leave the dead to bury the dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’”

The second told Jesus, “’I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’”

I’m no Scripture scholar, but I would bet these are among many biblical texts in which a lot of explanatory detail is missing. Jesus was undoubtedly not so curt and did not oppose either man’s wishes to accommodate their families. He was looking for commitment, not just words.

I believe many people fear making a commitment. They may ask, “What will I be asked to do? I’m already strapped for time. And I don’t want to become a religious fanatic.”

Fear Getting Close to God?

Some may also fear getting close to God like they would people they fear would make demands on them. Or they fear not being able to fulfill their commitment, so better not make one at all.

These fears may be justified – depending on how you view such a commitment. For me, a commitment to God and to a faith is similar to one you would make in a marriage – not the viewpoint of a single person who fears marriage because of the demands it may require.

A person who loves his or her spouse has a different perspective. The loved one may “make demands,” but doing them out of love makes them tolerable, even enjoyable, especially when done together – like painting a shed.

I think that’s what Jesus meant when he says in Mathew’s gospel, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”