Growing In Godliness Blog
Author: Megan Berthold
Star Wars
Monday, February 27, 2017
Star Wars
By Megan Berthold
As everyone was talking about resolutions in the New Year, I just couldn’t quit thinking about Star Wars. I am definitely a Star Wars fan, although this has not always been the case. I used to be one of those girls that would confuse Star Wars with Star Trek, not believing there was a difference. All that has changed now – I have seen the light (saber, of course). I can discuss with confidence the plots and characters and which episodes contain which events. What can I say? I’m a Mom of boys.
We recently saw Rogue One, the latest in the series. No spoilers here – promise! As we’re driving home, all discussing the movie, I became astutely aware of some similarities each movie share…more than each having the Death Star. And those similarities seem to translate easily to our walk as Christians.
1 – Rally Scenes. The comrades gather, a speech is given, hope is established, courage is restored, the forces are united to fight, the music swells and you get chills all over as they head to face their foe. In each of the rally scenes, there is a set goal, a definitive cause for which to fight, and they are willing to sacrifice for it. And although our lives certainly aren’t based on scripted plot lines, we are in a fight! Ephesians 6:11 tells us put on the full armor of God. Why? Verse 11 continues, “that you will be able stand firm against the wiles of the devil.”
Are we willing to sacrifice for our fight? Am I willing to “sacrifice” fitting in to the culture around me, and dress modestly? To keep my thoughts and speech pure? To keep my eyes from the vulgar images about me (shields up we could say!)? If I believe in my “cause” as a Christian, I need to make sure my actions prove it. We need to listen to the “rally speeches” from the Word of God, firm up our courage, and resolve to go out and fight for the Lord, whatever the cost.
2 – Reinforcements. The good guys are being closed in upon, hope seems all but lost, and surrender or death appears imminent. But then, reinforcements come in and deliver the back-up needed and the day is saved. When plans are made, they are typically made as a team. Even when Luke flew to Dagobah to find and be trained by Yoda, he took R2D2 (see, I told you I know my Star Wars). Solo missions aren’t as safe, back-up is always a better plan.
The Lord knew we’d need reinforcements as Christians, and we’re blessed with the Church, with our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. We are each other’s back-up, to encourage and lift one another up. First Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to “encourage one another and build up each other.” Hebrews 3:13 admonishes us to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” We need to ensure that we are “backing up” those around us, but also, be wise enough to know we don’t need to be flying solo.
3 – Good triumphs evil. It takes watching the Star Wars series in its entirety to see the full picture, but the “Force” does indeed overcome. And unlike movie cliffhangers, we know life’s ending. We know God has already won. Sin and death have been defeated. There won’t be any kooky plot twist, or alternate ending. The Lord has conquered, and we have been given the opportunity to be conquerors with Him. But we must do our part. We must put Him on in baptism, follow His Word, and live faithfully.
So join with me in resolving to rally up our faith and zeal for the Lord, in being better reinforcements for our brothers and sisters in the Lord (and being willing to ask for help as well), and in reaffirming our trust in the Lord that He’s got this. No extra “force” required.
Be Careful of the Small Slips
Friday, May 27, 2016Be Careful of the Small SlipsBy Megan Berthold
I took a fall recently. Well, a stumble really. I’m not certain of all the technicalities between falls and stumbles, but it was a small slip of the feet. The irony was that our family had just hiked almost three miles up the side of a mountain, around “cliffy” edges, and then back down around rocks and slippery stones - all safe and sound. Thankfully, it wasn’t until I was near the safety of the trailhead that I had my slip.
My slip on the safe ground got me thinking. It seems in life that it can be easy to pass the “big tests”, but it’s often times the little ones that can entangle us. It’s amazing that when you’re hiking, even near dangerous edges, there oftern aren’t guardrails. There aren’t park rangers at the rough turns rationing out warnings. Lots of times there aren’t even signs! And it’s not necessary because it’s overwhelmingly apparent - there is danger around you. Carefulness, awareness and safety are demanded.
In our spiritual lives, it’s no different. We don’t need the “ warning signs” around the big issues. We can often handle the "biggie" issues of fornication, drinking, regular attendance at Worship, using the Lord’s name in vain, etc. But just as I’m feeling confident in hiking through the weighty matters of life, the phone rings and gossip is flowing from my lips, or my child disobeys me and my anger flares, or I’m praised for a job completed well and my heart starts harboring pride, or my spouse and I have words and all of the sudden submission to my husband is out the door. Look at all the slipping! And it wasn’t falling over the cliff on adultery, or stealing, or lying; it was slipping on the "little" things, the things not many people see.
This isn’t new by the way. Look at Lot’s wife (Genesis 19:26). Somehow she had lived in Sodom and actually made it out alive; she truly made it to the safe ground. But then she turned. One little look cost it all. Then of course there’s Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:3-8). I feel for Uzzah. He didn’t make the cart, he was just guiding it; but he touched it. God couldn’t have made that rule any plainer, don’t touch the ark. There’s no ambiguity on that point; no way to wonder how God really felt about that one. "No touchy", as we say in our house. And then there is Moses, who was quite the man really. He stood up to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and to the Israelites too actually, on their many occasions of back peddling. He parted the Red Sea, he saw a burning bush, he received the Ten Commandments, the list just goes on and on. And in Numbers 20:7 the Lord tells him to speak to the rock to bring forth water. So he and Aaron jaunt on down to the assembly of the people before the rock, and he hits the rock. Hits it! Not just once mind you, he strikes that rock twice. When I look at Moses I can really feel better about myself (oops, there is the pride again), but really, here is a man who struck his staff over the Red Sea, which is no creek by the way, and it parts. But he can’t listen and obey when God told him to speak to the rock to bring forth water.
Ok, so what is the take home? We need to make sure we’re getting it right on the “little” things, just like we do on the big ones. What does it really matter if I’m in my pew Sunday at 9am, 5pm, and Wednesday at 7:30, if I’m not truly living as a vessel of Christ in my words, in my example, and in my heart?
We need to ensure that what we perceive as “safe ground” really is secure.
