"Luke, ... I am your father..."

Almost every living person in the world knows the line that titles this entry. They all know what movie, etc... But for those of you that don't let me set the scene for you. (maybe a little different way of looking at it)

After a long and exhausting volley of light sabers, our hero, Luke Skywalker, is laying on his back on the edge of a catwalk, he is missing part of his lower arm from the previous fight. Darth Vader walks up, able to finish off our hero, and offers a choice. Reaching out his hand Vader says "Come with me and together we will rule the Galaxy!!" Luke responds "Never.. You killed my father" Vader Replies "No Luke... I am your father!!" Luke screams in disbelief "NNNOOOOO!!!!!!!"

OK I know for many of you as you read that you were picturing the movie and the scene. The odd part is that I am sure you are wondering, "How does this have anything to do with being a Christian?" And on the face you would be right, but lets read between the lines. Jesus spoke in parables, lets look at it like that.

It's actually quite simple, God, our lord and Father, is constantly reaching out to us, trying to get us to join him. When Luke was at his lowest point his father reached out to him, the Lord reaches His hand out for us everyday. The old testament devoted an entire book on how to "correctly" worship the Lord. It's the book of Job. Job was very blessed with land, live stock, and family. He always thanked the Lord for his wealth. Satan told God that he could turn Job against Him. God said you may do what ever you want to Job, but you may not kill him. Satan took everything, and I mean everything. Job never turned on God. Job stated over and over, This is my masters will, and I will accept it. Job knew that as long as he held his faith and trust in God that no matter what happened, he would come through. If you would like to know the "rest of the story" I urge you to read the book of Job.

Directions: go to Psalms, and take a left. If you run into Esther you went too far.

I once heard a quote from a WWII officer it said: "There are no atheist's in fox holes." It is unfortunately true. Many people are quick to take credit for their good fortune and when things go right, but when they go wrong, these same people begin to pray for help and ask why? We become passive when we are good, and faithful when they are not. But the entire time God is there reaching out to us hoping that we take notice, take his hand, and feel his love, Always.

We are all Gods children, and His love for us is far grander than we can even imagine. This is why when Jesus teaches his disciples to pray the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 he starts it with "Our Father...." This was not by accident.

You are laying on your back on the edge of an eternal abyss. The Lord is standing over you with His hand reached out saying: "Come join Me, Live in the kingdom of heaven!" you yell back, "NO! you did this to me..." The Lord then opens His heart to you and says, "No (your name here) I am your Father..."

The question is, will you still deny Him?

Prayer:

(I would like everyone to pray with me on this one)

Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us of our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen