I recently read the post of a contributing writer, Barbara Shukin, on a writers series of posts on a blog by Melinda Johnson.
Shukin discusses her work as writer, making reference to St. Theophan the Recluse. She writes,
In this book, The Spiritual Life: And How to Be Attuned to It, St. Theophan replies to a young woman’s recent letter.
‘What has happened to you? What kinds of questions are these? “I do not know what to do with my life. Should I be doing something in particular? Should I define some particular purpose for myself?” I read this and I was dumbfounded; where could such odd thoughts have come from?’ (87)
The chapter continues, and he makes it clear that she is not to waste time on these questions, but to do the work which God has put before her!
She should do the work which was put before her.
So, I spent Thanksgiving Eve watching the movie Forrest Gump. This movie definitely makes my top ten list of favorite movies of all time, and I had the pleasure of watching it with my sister and her boyfriend while my dear son slept.
Anyway, for those unfamiliar with the movie, it depicts Forrest telling his life story to several people as he waits for a bus. Forrest is not the brightest crayon in the box, as many of his life’s encounters with others begin with, “you stupid or something?”
And yet, what he lacks in brains he makes up for in heart and perseverance, going on to achieve great feats such as:
becoming a star football player in college due to his running ability, despite the fact that he begins his life in leg braces.
going on to win a medal of honor in the Vietnam war after pulling a bunch of fallen comrades out of the jungle.
becoming a world-champion ping pong player after learning the game recovering from Vietnam.
making a fortune off of becoming a shrimp boat captain.
becoming a celebrity after making several running circuits across the continental US.
And, on his way he is constantly helping people, making friends, and even inadvertently becoming the impetus for several major events (i.e. the busting of Nixon through Watergate).
At one point, when he is in the military, his commanding officer asks him how he put a gun together so fast. Forrest responds, “I was just doing what you told me to.”
And that’s the thing I loved about this movie. Forrest finds so much success but is always “just doing what he was told”; he was always doing the work put in front of him.
Man, easier said than done. Confession. I spent a decent amount of time chronically planning and worrying. I loathe waste. I do not want to waste any time…and so I obsess over questions of “what is my purpose?” right now. today. tomorrow. in life. on this planet. And I worry whether I am doing the “wrong thing”…as though I have some grandiose calling to miss.
Recently, I was put in my place by a friend who said, “What do you want? Do you want us to call another All American Council so that a bunch of enlightened spiritual elders can vote on your calling? Then will you be satisfied?”
Touche.
Sometimes I get caught up in an inflated sense of self-importance and feel like the fate of the free world depends on me fulfilling some critical mission in life. And yet, I’m starting to believe that success pursued is always eluded, and I could find so much more joy in being Forrest-like…in doing what is set before me TODAY at this moment…not asking myself philosophical questions about WHY but just DOING IT.
Recently, I asked my dad whether or not he thought I should be making time to write. He said, “Well, if you have time to write, then do it. If you don’t, then don’t.” Simple as that.
Forrest undertook his major running effort because he just woke up one day and “felt like running.” No other major motivation…and as he says, when he got tired, he stopped. I think St. Theophan would like Forrest. Maybe the spiritual life is more complicated than a movie, but sometimes I think I make it more complicated than it is.
Flannery O’ Connor was once asked why she wrote. “Well, because I’m good at it,” she replied. That’s it. No highfalutin philosophy, just a gift and a drive.
So for today, may my spiritual philosophy be less convoluted and more like Forrest, more like Nike. Just do it. Do the work put before me. Maybe that way I’ll get more done.
Photos from Google images.
