Moments for the Heart

I knew that would get many of y’alls attention. For those of you who don’t remember, tomorrow is the 40^th anniversary of the second installment of the Star Wars franchise. The one that many pass over, the one where not much happened, the one where nothing blew up in the end, and we are left were Luke and Leia are staring into the depth of space with the newfound revelation of who Luke’s father really is (oops did I give away something? Oh well, you have had 40 years to figure out that Darth Vader is Luke’s father, if you don’t know by now… tough kibble.) Now we have got to make plans to rescue Han from Boba Fett and Jabba the Hutt and save the galaxy… but let go of the girl Luke… she’s your sister dude…(oops more spoilers)

The Task is Too Great

Throughout the series, we see Luke’s training in becoming a Jedi. Yoda’s constantly admonishing young Luke at his habitual giving up when things got tough. It all culminates when his ship sinks into the bog, and Yoda tells him to raise it up. Only seeing the size of the task before him, he grumpily says, “I’ll try.” Yoda responds, “Do or do not. There is no try.” He tries, and of course, fails. Then when Yoda proceeds to complete the task that Luke fails at, raising the sunken ship, Luke responds, “I don’t believe it.” Yoda’s response is the ever wise, “That is why you fail.”

We Have Given Up

Why do we give up when the going gets tough? Whatever happened to the old saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”?  So many of the old sayings have faded into the past. Tough has faded into the past. Masculinity has become a swear word. Better yet, it has become smeared and watered down so much that it is not even recognized anymore. Femininity has flown to an extreme that has become jaded.

Adulthood has surrendered to the worldview set upon it and lost its position as kids today walk all over parents today. Men, women, and adults have lost their edge and have become weak. So much so that we no longer even try to stake our claim and regain our position. The task before us is to great, the ship is too far sunk.

Consequences of Giving Up

So, what do we do? Men? Women? Mom, Dad? We need to take back what is ours! Men, why do we keep on failing in our walk? Because we are not taking a firm stand in our faith. Women, why does our life keep getting lost to the worries of this world? Because we do not trust in the One who can handle all our troubles. Why are our kids not being won over to Christ? Because we do not speak the words of life to them. Do or do not. There is no try.

You cannot try to stand; you’ll fall every time. You cannot try to trust; you’ll end up in tears just like before. And you can’t try and say the right thing. Without words of life, they will always fall short.

Keep on Going, No Matter What

Yoda was wise, far beyond his time… well, a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away. He was giving us words to follow in all situations. I, a five-year-old child at the time, did not realize the life lesson I was receiving. I just thought it was cool that the talking frog, that sounded like Miss Piggy with laryngitis, just lifted Luke’s ship out of the swamp. We later find out in Return of the Jedi that Yoda is 900 years old. One would assume those could be like dog years, but regardless, he has seen a few things and knows enough to give sound advice about tenacity. (Yes, I know I am speaking about a fictional character, but that does not discount the fact that this is good stuff) Do or do not. There is no try.

Is Failure an Option?

Ah, the big question. If there is no try, then what happens when we do not succeed?

What if our attempts to man up ends up with us face up?… So what; get up!!

What if our eggs are all in a row and they all, one by one, fall and break apart? Get creative. Make an omelet.

What if, despite all instruction, our kids, heaven forbid, make a mistake that jeopardizes their future? You open up your arms and show them the same love you would if they hadn’t stumbled.

“Do”ing has no guarantee of success. “Do”ing is a mindset. There is always a chance of failure, but when you approach life with a “do” attitude, success will find your door more often than you realize. — even in failure.

Finding the “Do” Attitude

“Do”ing revolves around having a believing attitude. When you believe you can do, there is no try. Even if you do not succeed, lessons will have been learned.

Men, God is molding you into something great. The Word teaches that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

Women, you were created special. The Word speaks of the do-ings of the noble character of a wife and mother.

Parents, we are encouraged to do the things that will bring our children up in the instruction of the Lord. When we work together, doing the things of the Lord, in the Spirit of the Lord we are guaranteed that all things will work out for the best. And that through all things, no matter what, nothing can separate us from God’s love that enables us to continue on.

Do or do not. There is no try. When you believe you can, you won’t need to try, you just do it. And succeed or fail, you will be blessed.