I’ve Got Friends in High Places

 

My sweet granddaughter, Alexia, and her Yorkie, Emma, have been here with me for the last few days.  I always relish this fun girl time (i.e., girl talk, shopping and eating out).  One of our mutual enjoyments is a little thrift shopping.  I came home with a great stand for my laptop, and she came home with two Star Wars books.  She and her brother are Star Wars junkies, so she keeps an eye out for Star Wars collectibles.  
 

Aw!  Star Wars! The epic, action-packed, intense thrill ride full of space battles, lightsaber duels and a little dab of love interest.  Yes, I’ve ridden the wave with my family.  I haven't been the avid Star Wars fan that my grands are, but I embrace watching the series with them because it brings me such joy watching them and their interest.  I take to some of the epic inspiring messages and quotes by the characters. For example, Darth Vader said, “I find your lack of faith disturbing.” Yoda, the Master Jedi, said: “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” He also said, "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." Yoda really had it together. And even Princess Leia showed little girls that they could be anything and everything they wanted to be. Jedis taught us that strength is beyond that of physical power, but also found in the power of our minds. And that not every battle needs to be fought with a light saber.  Maybe we should take some of those quotes to heart!

 

The ever-present theme throughout Star Wars is the presence of a good force and an evil force. The light side and the dark side. Right versus wrong.  That sounds a lot like reality, right?   Good versus Evil isn’t just in the movies.  We, ourselves, live in a world of always deciding what to do in tricky situations – choosing between doing the right thing or wrong thing; living in high places or low places!

Low Places.  Garth Brooks sold a lot of records with his song, "I've Got Friends in Low Places....where the whiskey drowns, and the beer chases my blues away and I'll be okay." Seriously??   If you’re a Star Wars fan, you probably remember the scenes with the low life that hang out in bars and low places.  Why would anyone want to go there, when we can hang out with friends in HIGH Places and eliminate the blues altogether? 

 

I choose high places.  Besides my quality personal devotion time with God daily, I’m a church-goer junkie.  It is where I get my “high”.  What could be better than hanging out with God's family who are all for one and one for all.  We have many things in common.  We love God. He loves us.  We choose to follow in His footsteps and in fact, we want to take on His character of loving, caring, giving, and living in the abundance that He promises us.  I go to church and my heart is lifted; my perspective becomes clear on what matters most.  I join others in singing and worshipping Him Who deserves my praise.  You might even find me serving as a greeter or host on “The Dream Team” or taking a food item for a reception or funeral dinner or facilitating a small group.

 

Maybe you don’t have a church family or friends who make you better – those who go toe-to-toe with you in good times and tough times.  That’s what I call “high places”.  Hanging out in HIGH PLACES is worth it when it comes to making the right choices and living a life of joy, peace, and freedom from worry, anxiety, sadness, and fear. May the FORCE of God's love and power be WITH YOU as we all choose High Places!