In one of the Star Wars movies, the queen’s ship is forced to land on Tatooine to repair the vessel. It is a tense moment as the needed part is present, but payment is nowhere to be found. Once the part is found, the only acceptable payment is out of reach. The wise discerning Jedi stands in a contemplative state, gently pulling on his beard, before uttering the words, “a solution will present itself.” What a powerful line!
The journey of a Christ-follower is one of contrasts. On the one hand, there is everything around you that can be seen, touched, and felt but not obtainable. The emotional part of you is overloaded with everything you cannot have. Perhaps the most challenging part is that things needed are necessary, as the part to repair the ship.
On the other hand, there are the promises found in the Bible. They are tested, proven, tried, and true promises for everyone embracing them. These promises stand in direct opposition to the situation before you. What do you do?
The wise Jedi reveals the answer—stand in contemplative patience.
The story reminds me of a Biblical story found in the Old Testament. A teenage shepherd boy is sent by his father to take supplies to his brothers in the war. Upon arrival, the shepherd (David by name) sees this giant of a man in battle armor hurling nasty accusations about the God of his people at his enemy’s army. It is a troubling problem with no solution in sight.
Standing in contemplative patience waiting to see his brothers, David blurts out, “Are you going to let his heathen talk about our God like this? I will stand up to this bully.” His words struck fear in his brother’s heart. How dare he make such a stupid remark!
When questioned about his statement, David responds, “God gave me the ability to kill the lion and the bear that attempted to take my sheep. He will give me the grace to defeat this enemy.” And so, he did.
The point to be made is that contemplative patience means to reflect on past situations, remembering how God helped you through them. Once you have them in mind, apply them to your current situation. The circumstances will likely be different, but the solution will always be the same—God will make a way.
David spent many hours alone with God, walking, talking, even singing with him. God showed himself alive to David at the time of need, giving him the strength to overcome the challenges facing him. This is a close personal relationship—with God; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
In my journey, there have been times when I sing out a song (with no one near to hear me) that rolls off of my tongue. The words and melody are there. The only explanation is that God the Holy Spirit gave it to me, so I sing it to him.
My perception is that humanity has entered a troubling time that requires trust in God over conventional wisdom or logic. Those who walk with God in a close personal relationship will have an advantage over those who do not have such a relationship.
Those who do (have such a relationship) will be a comfort to those who don’t (have such a relationship). Much like the wise Jedi in the Star Wars movie, you will be able in contemplative patience to say, “a solution will present itself.”