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There is no why...

There is a scene in The Empire Strikes Back when Yoda is instructing Luke in some of the more weighty matters of the Force. Luke, ever the impatient one, wants to know everything and NOW. Yoda, perhaps a little exasperated with the constant barrage of questions, interrupts Luke's question and says - No, no. There is no why...

I often feel like Luke. I want to know everything. Further, I believe very strongly that things happen for a reason - that there is a purpose behind why things happen. I am willing to accept that some things are just random - like weather, or like weeds growing in a flower patch. There's no real import or meaning behind that.

But I also believe that there are things which are significant. I also believe that if I am patient and faithful the pattern, the why? of it all will become clear.

Alas, I am NOT always patient and/or as faithful as I should be. While I believe that God has a plan for us, and while I'm willing to accept that His thoughts are incomprehensible to someone with my finite understanding, I feel frustrated when I don't see the end game. I want to KNOW.

The movie goes on. Luke, sensing something not right in the cave, enters to encounter his greatest fear - Darth Vader. He takes off Vader's head, only to look down and realize that it is his own head he's removed.

Later on, Luke is moving a stone around. Yoda tries to tell him that moving his ship out of the water is no different than moving the stone - the only difference is in his mind. Luke says - I'll give it a try. Yoda, in perhaps his most famous line, says - Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try. Luke, of course, is unable to accomplish the task. Yoda lifts the ship from the water and moves it to dry ground. Luke says - I don't believe it. Yoda responds - That is why you fail.

I know there is a degree of faith and belief involved in life. But I can understand Luke's bewilderment and frustration. Patience is required. My finite brain has a hard time with patience. I want to be patient. But I know I am not.

And ironically, patience is what is required in order to have that patience justified. We do not receive any sort of witness or assurance until after the trial of faith and patience. So, whether I am patient or not almost seems irrelevant - I will not get the knowledge I seek until I have been patient, anyway.

Perhaps patience is just about me learning to discipline myself, finding peace within myself when there is so much turmoil, so much I want to understand. I just want to know WHY...

Is there a why?

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