“Do or do not. There is no try”

“Do or do not. There is no try.” What does this quote from Yoda in Star Wars have to do with our journey on the Road of Faith? Actually a lot.

In this scene, Luke Skywalker’s ship is sinking into the swamp. Yoda tells him to lift it with the force. Luke responds, “I’ll try.” Yoda gets upset at this response. Maybe Yoda felt that trying was the same as ‘it will not work at all’. Furthermore, Yoda wanted Luke to understand that faith was not enough; it was either he knows how it’s done or he becomes a failure. Once Luke knows that there is no difference between a rock and a spaceship, then he will make it.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3

For us as Christians, Faith is everything, it is the cornerstone of all we do. But, just saying one has faith isn’t enough. We too must believe and act upon that faith as fact.

“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” Saint Augustine

We can only see God, trust in Jesus and believe His presence through eyes of faith. But, once we take that faith to a point of fact in our lives, anthills and mountains are the same. Neither is immovable. Even the cross becomes something that is light and bearable. When our faith becomes fact in our heart, we no longer answer with “I’ll try” or with hearts of fear knowing we can or will fail. No, I’m this moment, we know beyond any doubt, reasonable or otherwise, that we will succeed, no matter how difficult the task may seem. It is not upon our faith or strength which we lean.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power^[a] is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

There are people who put up blocks to their own accomplishment, Yoda’s quote can be a perfect wake up call for these souls. It is very important to push yourself a little further and see what happens. It is in the most difficult seeming times that the soul becomes dependent upon God’s strength. And, from these times, we find our power.

Do you think Luke looked back upon this day in the swamp as too hard to succeed after he had faced Darth Vader in the Death Star? The mountain or suffering before you now, will seem as small in the rear view mirror of your life when you apply your faith as fact.