Laura L. Smith
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MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

8/16/2012

14 Comments

 
Picture
Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker Lego figures battling with light sabers.
Is there anyone in your life who makes you angry? You don’t want them to. You wish they wouldn’t. But either because of something they’ve done to you or someone you care about, they make you cringe or cry or both.

The answer for me is yes. There is someone in my life who loved me and betrayed me. Someone who cared for me and emotionally battered me. There is someone who has scarred one of the people I love most in this world, and in turn hurt me. I struggle with this. I pray about this, but I continue to tussle with this relationship. Jesus teaches us to love one another. So I try to continue to love despite the hurt and the fear of being hurt again. Jesus says to forgive someone seven times seventy times. So I try to forgive, but the memories still haunt me and the scars still ache.

While reading Everything by Mary De Muth I came across a passage that challenged me. It made me stop reading and get up and doodle around on Facebook. Not because her words made me think of a friend I needed to touch base with, but because I wasn’t ready to face what these words meant to me.

“In that painful space, we have a choice: punish those who hurt us through control, or lay our hurt at the feet of the One who understands. Our task shouldn’t be punishing the villains in our lives, but enlarging the God who heals us from all wounds.” Mary De Muth

Most of us are familiar with the Star Wars story. In the final episode Luke Skywalker faces his father, Darth Vader. Darth used to be a powerful Jedi fighting for good in the galaxy. Greed for power turned him into an evil leader using “the force” for wickedness. Luke has reason to be angry. Vader’s boss, Emperor Palpatine, urges Luke while watching this confrontation in Return of the Jedi, “Give in to your anger. With each passing moment you make yourself more my servant.”

Sounds like someone else I know. Someone nagging in my head, urging me to cave to anger to make bad choices, hoping I’ll turn away from Christ, the force, which brings me life and love. I find solace and strength in Luke Skywalker’s response.

“Never. I'll never turn to the Dark Side. You've failed, your highness. I am a Jedi.” Luke lowers his blade and chooses love.

Do I have the strength to say it?

“Never. I’ll never turn to the dark side. Satan – you’ve failed. I am a Christian.”

Wow. That feels good. Just typing it here with you today. If you’re feeling gutsy say it out loud.

In Holly Starr’s song, I Love You Anyway, she sings, “There will be times I remember the things that you’ve done to me. But I will choose love and forgive you for everything.”

Words to live by. Choose love.

May God’s force be with you.

14 Comments
Gigi Murfitt link
8/16/2012 02:19:46 am

Wow! Your post so ministered to me today as I take a spiritual retreat to lay some wounds at the food of the cross. I bless you with knowing God smiles on your vulnerable words and He sees your scars. Sometimes they are just what we need to remind us of who He is. E

Bless your heart today.

A fellow sojourner in the journey to make Jesus be my Everything!

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Laura L. Smith link
8/18/2012 01:22:05 am

Gigi - wow! Thank you for your blessings. Praying God will heal your wounds in ways unfathomable. Peace be with you!

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Jennifer Camp link
8/16/2012 04:27:14 am

Laura,
Wow, I am so grateful for your words here. The beauty of these choices He gives us -- as much as I push back against them, afraid of change, wanting only to heed to pride -- bring me Life. You remind me of His goodness, His warrior-heart going before us. Yes, He has equipped us with His grace to give us courage, a heart forgiveness, and strength, in our weaknesses. Thank you. {I am so loving the book, too.} :)

Reply
Laura Smith link
8/18/2012 01:23:49 am

Jennifer
I'm blessed by your words. Thanks for reminding me of the beauty of the choice. I love that phrase - his warrior heart. It strengthens me. Blessings,
Laura

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Deanna link
8/16/2012 06:42:24 am

Amen, Laura!

I love how when we agree with God we begin to feel empowered, only because our choice to do it releases more of His strength in our lives. :)

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Laura Smith link
8/18/2012 01:25:17 am

Deanna
Isn't that amazing? I use way to much of my strength fighting HIm, when true strength comes from Him. I pray we will both be able to turn it all over to Christ today and be strengthened by His power. Amen.

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Mindy @ New Equus - A New Creation link
8/17/2012 12:06:37 am

I love how you admit to going and doing something else instead of facing something that is bothering you...how many times have I done THAT in my life! OY! Way to find your strength and face it! May "The Force" (and we all know Who that is) be with you! ;)

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Laura Smith link
8/18/2012 01:26:48 am

Mindy
I'm still working on finding my strength, but I know Christ, My Force, will help me do that. Praying He'll fill your life with strength through Him.
Laura

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Mary DeMuth link
8/17/2012 06:32:15 am

You get seven gold stars (*******) for bringing in a Star Wars quote. Beautiful post.

Reply
Laura Smith link
8/18/2012 01:28:13 am

Mary
I'm humbled by your compliment. I'm humbled by being part of the EVERYTHING book launch. Your words challenge me to turn everything over to the Almighty. Thank you for that gift (and may God's force be with you!)
Laura

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Renee link
10/9/2012 08:11:53 am

You put so many great ideas together. Thanks for challenging me with this post. Blessings!

Reply
Laura L. Smith link
10/9/2012 08:52:35 am

Renee,
Thank you for the blessings. This blog challenged me too. Still is. May the force of God's almighty love be with you.

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Samantha link
10/27/2012 02:21:48 am

I have enjoyed reading several of your posts today, but I couldn't pass up giving you a thumbs up on the Star Wars metaphor :-)

Reply
Laura L. Smith link
10/27/2012 09:27:46 am

Samantha
Thanks for reading along. It's great to have you here :D! Yah, I figure it would be pretty hard to forgive Darth, but definitely how God wants me to act towards my arch nemesis. Hope you had a chance to listen to the song at the end of this post too - Love You Anyway by Holly Starr - it is beautiful. Have a fabulous weekend and may God's force be with you

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