LUCUS LIFE
Where were you in '77? It's hard to believe that it's been that long since Star Wars first came out. I was only 17 for crying out loud! I never will forget the first time I saw that movie. What an amazing experience. It was the first time a movie really made me go "WOW!"
Now, twenty years later, Star Wars has been re-released to theaters so a new generation can experience the "Wow" factor all over again. But what I really found interesting in the midst of all this hype, and some really neat commercials, was an interview I saw with George Lucas this past week.
In the interview he talked about the re-release and mentioned that he was never really happy with Star Wars the first time around. In fact, he thought it was reeeeeeaaaallly bad. So, he decided to redo five scenes in the movie. The five scenes ended up being over 100! A full one third of the movie was redone. Imagine! I guess the artist is always most critical of his own work.
Now, here's an interesting question — What if you could do the same thing with your life that Lucas did with Star Wars? What if, looking back 20 or 30 or 10 or even 2 years ago, you could redo part of your life? What would you change? If you say nothing, I won't believe you. Everyone has regrets; everyone has a checklist of "whatifs." What would you do differently? Would you marry the same person? Would you get the same job? Would you have stayed in your home town instead of moving away, or moved away instead of staying? Would you have turned down that promotion? Would you have done more for the Lord? Would you have spent more time with your family?
Well, I'll tell you what: you may not be able to change the past, but you can do something even better, you can change your present. You can change the entire path of your life by simply giving it to the Lord. But, you say, I became a Christian years ago, I've already given my life to the Lord. Then, I guess the question is: have you taken it back? Can you really say that you "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him . . . " (Proverbs 3:5-6)? If you can, then maybe you don't have any regrets!
Points to Ponder
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If you regret your past and really wish you could change a few things, why not try? Phone that friend you forgot, pay for those office supplies that you took from work. You'll feel better!
Don't be consumed by the past. If you've given it to the Lord, He's already forgiven and forgotten it.
"Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD." (Psalms 25:7)
Focus on present possibilities not past problems. What can you do today to make a new improved Star Wars (life)? Spend more time with the Lord? Get more connected with your Church? Start going to Church? Start seeking answers? Give someone a hug? You get the idea.
Look forward to the future. So you think Star Wars is a "Wow"? Wait 'til we get to Heaven! Wait 'til we see the Maker of the stars, not just the maker of Star Wars (no offense).
If you love the Lord, celebrate the fact that you done good when it came to the biggest decision of your life, and don't sweat the small stuff. Entrust it to the Lord and He'll take your fuzzy film and sharpen the focus.
"I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."(Phil 1:3-6)
Prayer
Father, I know that I may not have my life to live over again, but that's ok because I have You and You've changed my life, my heart, my reason for living. I am no longer the person I once was! Sure, I've got regrets, and You know all my sins, but that's also why you sent Jesus. So, that the mistakes, I've made can be erased by the blood of Your Son. Thank you so much that You gave me a completely new life in Christ, and not just a remade life with a few new "clips." Help me live that new life for You! Amen.
