Wiser and Happier: Special Military Edition from Time of GraceSample

Waking Up: Remember the power you have One of Obi-wan Kenobi’s most difficult tasks in training Luke Skywalker to be a true Jedi knight was to help him access all his resources. “Use the Force, Luke!” Obi-wan would exhort him. We all know that this talk of “the Force” is just space mythology cooked up by George Lucas, right? You don’t have a Force within you. Or do you? George Lucas was perhaps closer than he realized to a powerful truth of authentic Christianity: the third person of the Trinity, God the Holy Spirit, comes to live within the hearts of all believers when they are baptized. Scripture promises that your baptism is a washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is power from God for thinking, saying, and doing things that are pleasing to God. The Spirit brings you God’s wisdom from heaven through his wonderful Word. The Spirit also brings you God’s power to act on what you know. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding . . . and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5,6). Maybe you’ve had an Obi-Wan or a Yoda in your life--a teacher or instructor so gifted and so influential that you hung on every word. Such a person can encourage and motivate you to do more than you ever imagined you could. The Holy Spirit is more than an impersonal Force; he is also your Comforter and Guide. He trains you through the Word to recognize right and wrong. He shapes your will to make it more like God’s. He reminds you of God’s great love for you. May this Force be with you.