Hope 1 - A renewed hope

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A new hope

A geek like me could not resist opening the lesson on Hope without a Star Wars reference. I was trying to figure out where I could get a picture from the inside of Darth Vader's mask, but after I found this one, I believe it does represent the concept of coming out of darkness and having my eyes wide open!

Of course, it is fun to believe that The Force of the SW saga is real - and it seems real, but I'll leave that to my teaching sessions.  But no matter how many times I watch the Sci-fi trilogy (the original one), I get caught up in the adventure. So, why not in "A Renewed Hope" with the ultimate Trilogy?

The devil strikes back

Did you think that I was done with the Star Wars references? Not at all! Over the past few weeks of dealing with Denial and admitting that I was powerless, I had a real understanding how, like Han Solo and the crew, I had some real challenges of faith. 

Now I wasn't making any deals with Jabba the Hutt, but the focus on "how things are in the real world" really had me kinda stoic - especially in my relationships. My faith, though I'd witnessed it with my own eyes, began to dim. And, at times, reasoned why things happened without bringing an All-Powerful Force into the equation.

Still trying to work hard, and do good, I still didn't have any real trust in others - even closest friends.  As I am writing this, I realize that I had become more like Han than Luke over the past few years.  But now it is time to renew my belief, and discipline - but it isn't some little green guy in a swamp who will teach me.

Return of the ...

The disciplines and faith of the "Jedi", are very similar to the Christian in my eyes. But instead of fighting with lightsabers and doing force pushes, it is as natural as the world of the Ewoks. Knowing what I have to do, training to face "emperors" and my past are sure ways to slip into the dark side. So, I have been taking things a bit slower than the training on Dagobah.

But enough of the Star Wars references, my biggest fight against my own thoughts is soon to come.  Hebrews 11:6 tells me, "Anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who EARNESTLY seek Him." Sure, I have had my crisis of faith much more than my Christ of faith, but that has not been my biggest issue.

Belief is fine, but to EARNESTLY seek God and His will and all that He wants for me - that is my biggest problem. I had become content with His presence, comfortable in His power, and the complacency is what overcame me.

So, with a renewed Hope I begin my "training" again. By the way, I did get to join in the step study class on Friday night at Celebrate Recovery.  The atmosphere of real men being real and willing to see what God has for our futures is very inspiring, and I can't wait to join up with them again - this time with a bit more Hope.

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