In my efforts to share what is in my heart, we return once again to our old friend Master Yoda.  This dialog comes from Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi...

(Master Yoda) "No more training do you require.  Already know you, that which you need."
(Luke) "Then I am a Jedi."
(Master Yoda) "No.  Not yet. One thing remains.  Vader.  You must confront Vader.  Then, only then, a Jedi will you be.  And confront him you will."

Whether you have seen the movie or not, the message is pretty clear.  Master Yoda is confirming that Luke already has all the tools he needs to be who he has been set apart to be.  All that remains for Luke to complete this journey is to face the one thing that will be the toughest thing for him to face.  Darth Vader.  I could elaborate on why but surprisingly, there are still people in the world who have not seen Star Wars and I don't want to be the one that gives it away.

So, here is the parallel.  We who are in Christ have all that we need to be the person that God has set us apart to be.  Scripture confirms this fact upon us in several places but one of my personal favorites is 2 Corinthians 5:17...

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come."

Our old life, our old ways, our sins and even our death - all things have been reconciled through the precious blood of Christ.  Much like Luke, we have all that we need to live out this life that we have been called to live.  And yet, much like Luke, one thing remains on this journey.  For us, that one thing is to walk out our lives in the fullness of Christ.  It is there that we meet the evil one and there that the we find the battle.

Today, I pray that each of you live out your life in the fullness of Christ.  Fight well!

Your brother in Christ,

Jim