May The Force Be With You!

In the motion picture, “The Empire Strikes Back,” Luke Skywalker lands his skycraft in a desolate, foggy swamp. There he meets with the “Yoda” for the purpose of learning how to deal with his enemies. Luke’s skycraft sinks out of sight into the mud. The Yoda instructs Luke that the mighty power called “The Force” will enable him to lift his craft out of the swamp. Luke tries to follow the Yoda’s instructions, but fails. The craft remains stuck in the mud. Then, the Yoda says, “No, no, my son, you are trying to use ‘The Force’. You can’t use ‘The Force’. Let ‘The Force’ use you.”

Likewise, Jesus resisted all temptation to use “The Force” (which is God). Instead He let God use Him. He carried out His ministry in harmony with God’s Will. “Not My Will, but yours,” He prayed to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane.

We must learn to allow God to use us. When we place ourselves…