In the Star Wars movie ‘The Force Awakens’ a new generation of fighters has taken centre stage. The battles of Luke, Leia, Han and Chewbacca are fading memories.

New heroes named Finn and Rey are having a conversation with Han Solo. But at first they don’t realize it is THAT Han Solo. They wonder if those old battles really happened. Rey even heard that Luke Skywalker was only a myth.

Then they discover that the Han Solo they are talking to is the real Han Solo. “Crazy thing is,” he says, “it’s true. The Force, the Jedi, all of it. It’s all true.” 

Finn and Rey are amazed. They are standing in the presence of fighting royalty, the actual Han Solo! They walk taller. Their courage grows. They are now on the same team with someone who was actually there. He had a successful track record of defeating the evil empire.

And everything is different because of it.

Look around you. There are probably faithful people who have navigated their fair share of hardships. They have come out the other side and have persevered.

They are walking evidence that hardship doesn’t have to be the end of the story.

If you’re struggling with something, maybe you should talk to them. Learn their story (if they are willing to share it). Be encouraged by their example. Pray for them and ask them to pray for you.

They may not fly the Millennium Falcon, but they probably have their own scars and stories which will remind you that victory is possible.

Knowledge + Experience + Jesus is a formula that blesses anyone with enough humility to listen.

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Notes:

–The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on September 19, 2022.