The Force of Truth

As I was putting on a sweater, I heard a rustling sound in the pocket. I reached in and retrieved a ticket stub from a past December showing of the Star Wars movie The Force Awakens. A smile came across my face and a flood of memories rushed in (especially with all the Star Wars memes on Facebook recently—”May the 4th be with you” 🙂). It is hard to believe that I was a young woman in the ’70s when this Star Wars phenomenon hit the screen. It is interesting to observe the profound influence it has had on movie-making and music. The most amazing thought to me, though, is how many generations have been impacted by this movie—”the beat goes on.” I have watched many people in my life embrace it, and they are now passing it on to their children. When the new movie came out, everywhere I went adults were saying that they could not wait for their children to see it. I confess that I was excited to see it as well and attended the showing with my own sons who are now adults.

Let’s carry this thought into the Scriptural realm. Psalm 145:4 says, “One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.” It is urgent that we be more diligent in our spiritual lives than in our casual living. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us, “But we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of His own, that you should show forth the praises of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

It is obvious that there is a lot of darkness around us. Look. Pay attention to the world around you. The responsibility of the redeemed is to shine the light. As stewards of this light, we must impart it to the next generation so that they will be wiser than we in Biblical matters. “So each of us should consider the components of a productive Christian life and prayerfully set specific goals… There is the dimension of personal relationships—with God, family, neighbors, friends” (Charles E. Hummel, “Tyranny of the Urgent”4). What dimensions of my life am I using to impact the next generation for the Gospel? Am I setting spiritual goals, deciding what is important, constantly evaluating my spiritual life? May I continue the effort. May this be the awakening force in my life!

The ticket in my pocket was a great find. I might just keep it on my desk as a constant reminder that I am called to proclaim the force of truth—the power of the Gospel, the cross—to awaken this generation and the next for His glory.

Bible Study Tip

Throughout the Bible there are four overarching themes: creation, fall, redemption, restoration. Some call this the metanarrative of Scripture. Think about how the text relates to this Creation-Fall-Redemption-Restoration metanarrative. What does it say about God as Creator and/or His creation? What does it say about the Fall and its effects (our sinful flesh, the fallen nature of others, the earth and the way it groans under the weight of sin)? What does it say about the work of Christ on the cross and the new, redeemed nature of His disciples? And how does it speak to the final consummation of all of God’s promises, the return of Christ and the new heavens and earth He will make for us, His children?

Recommended Books

Links in this section are Amazon Affiliate links to books we find helpful

Practical Theology for Women: How Knowing God Makes a Difference in Our Daily Lives
by Wendy Horger Alsup

Have you ever wanted to understand the deep things of the Word but been put off by the intimidating vocabulary of theologians? Have you assumed that studying the attributes of God is for seminary students only? Or maybe “just for men”? Have heavy doctrinal themes felt beyond you and your everyday world? If so—if you’ve ever thought theology was too deep, too impractical, or too irrelevant for your life as a woman—this book is for you.

As author Wendy Alsup explores fundamental theological issues you’ve always wondered about—minus the daunting vocabulary and complex sentence structure of academic tomes—she brings them into real life… into your world… and reveals the heart of true theology. It’s really about “simple yet incredibly profound stuff that affects our daily lives,” she says. Stuff like faith and gaining a right knowledge of God as the foundation for wise daily living.

Alsup writes: “Truly, there is nothing like a good grasp of accurate knowledge about God to enable you to meet the practical demands of your life—the practical demands of being a daughter, mother, wife, sister, or friend.” Let Practical Theology for Women show you the everyday difference that knowing God makes.

Keep a Quiet Heart
by Elisabeth Elliot

When life gets too busy, too impersonal, and too much to handle, it’s time to turn to God for some peace and quiet. Keep a Quiet Heart is a unique collection of some of Elisabeth’s best work from her newsletter. More than 100 short passages offer a bit of relief from everyday life as they point the reader toward the everlasting love and peace of God.

For the Kids

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”

– Ephesians 1:16-21, ESV

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