I will explain the strange title a little later on in this blog...

Sometimes when we walk through life "things" happen that knock us off the path that we are called to walk and subsequently, out of the battle.  These "things" can be anything from an argument with your spouse, loss of employment, the death of a close family member, etc., etc.  There are too many possibilities to list them all here but I think you understand where I am going with this.  During these times, most people can see these "things" for what they are; simply unexpected circumstances that you deal with the best that you can while moving forward on the path of our Christian life.  You adapt, adjust and/or overcome.  For some, however, their vision grows clouded and their ability to see these "things" for what they are becomes difficult.  The path that they were walking prior to this "thing" disappears before their eyes and they become lost, scared, confused and begin to struggle with what life and the battle is going to look like outside of the comfort and familiarity of the current structure and routine.  When the battle shifts and becomes too big, too confusing, is scary and unfamiliar, how do we address the "thing" and return back to the path that we are called to walk and re-engage in the battle?

Many of you know that I have been doing a series called "Master Yoda and Faith" in which I have been comparing specific scenes and dialog from the Star Wars Movies to our Christian walk and battle.  This blog is a continuation of that series.  Master Yoda, however, is not in Episode 4, thus the strange title of this blog. 

For those of you who are familiar with the movies, you will recall that at the end of Episode 3 Yoda goes into hiding after failing to prevent the Sith from regaining control of the galaxy.  All that once was is no longer.  The Jedi are all but extinct, life has changed dramatically and nothing is safe or familiar.  For Yoda, the battle has changed and a strategic retreat for 20 years is in order (the approximate age of Luke from the time that he was born in Episode 3 to the time that we meet him again in Episode 4 as he begins his journey in becoming a Jedi Knight).  When Luke and Master Yoda finally meet face to face in Episode 5, we find that although Master Yoda had temporarily withdrawn from the battle, as evident from his absence in Episode 4, his faith has remained intact.  My understanding of how Yoda has managed to retain his faith, despite his circumstances is two-fold.  First, he believes so strongly and so completely that nothing that comes along can shake the foundation of his faith.  Second, he is able to see evidence of his faith around him in all things and in moments of silent meditation.  Luke's arrival therefore doesn't necessarily restore Master Yoda's faith, rather Luke's emergence and presence is the catalyst that re-engages him in the battle.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)

So what do we do when the "things" of life happen, our vision gets cloudy and we lose our way?  First and foremost, I believe that it is imperative that we not confuse the issue by throwing our faith into the mix.  Our faith, even when we cannot see it, is what keeps us connected to God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to the ways that He is working in our life.  Just as Yoda was able to separate the two, we also must be willing to look critically at the "things" of life and understand that there is a difference between what is seen and what is unseen.  I firmly believe that God doesn't abandon us, but rather sometimes the "things" of life cause us to abandon God.  Secondly, reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ and be willing to be open and vulnerable with them during this time.  By doing so, what you may just find is that they have similar stories of cloudy vision that will help you understand what is going on in your own life and give you a fresh perspective on how to adapt.  If nothing else, you will find the presence of God in the availability and willingness of your brothers and sisters in Christ to walk with you during this time.  If you need to retreat for a period, by all means retreat.  I would only caution you not to spend too much time in isolation as it becomes a playground for the evil one.  Finally, spend some time in the word and in prayer.  This doesn't have to be and exhaustive period of time - just something to keep you grounded in the truth and the light so that your foundation doesn't decay.

Some of you may have noticed that I have been absent from this site for awhile.  I am not ashamed to admit that my vision has become blurry over the past several months and that I have struggled with the "things" of life.  It has been one of those periods of life in which it seems that the evil one has been working overtime on me.  As I continue to return to my path and re-engage in the battle, I do so by means of the method I just described above.  My foundation of faith, although somewhat shaken, remains firmly intact as I see the evidence of our Heavenly Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ working in my life through those who have walked with me during this time.  For their presence and willingness to walk with me during this time, I cannot express my appreciation and gratitude to any degree of adequacy other than just to say Thank You and I Love You.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, you are not alone in this world.  The "things" of life will come and go but your family in Christ will always remain.  I pray that you will find comfort and strength in that...

Your brother in Christ,

Jim