More Wisdom from Yoda

With the release of "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" this coming Tuesday, I thought I would draw again upon the wisdom of Master Yoda.

Before I continue, though, I will make the following disclaimer: I am well aware that Yoda is a fictional character created by George Lucas. This fact does not make his words any less viable. Many historical figures including Shakespeare, Twain, and even Christ himself occasionally shared truth through the use of fictional characters. "Star Wars" has become a cultural icon because we identify with the nuggets of truth interwoven in its saga. That being stated:

We were first introduced to the Jedi Master Yoda in "The Empire Strikes Back". It was on the planet Dagobah that the young Luke Skywalker trained to become a Jedi. One of the tasks that young Skywalker was charged with was to use the Force to extract his crashed X-Wing fighter from the swamp. Luke closed his eyes and concentrated. The craft shuddered and shook, appearing briefly to be coming out of the water. Suddenly it changed direction and began to sink deeper into the bog. Luke, discouraged by this turned to Yoda and stated, "You ask the impossible."

Yoda, unfazed by this, closed his eyes. The bog-ridden X-wing slowly begins to ascend out of the marsh. Alerted by the excited beeps and whirs of R2-D2, Luke turns around to see his spacecraft floating above him. "I... I don't believe it," exclaims Skywalker once Yoda sets the craft on drier ground. Yoda's response was short, but succinct. "That is why you fail."

We citizens of Ogden have been placed with a seemingly impossible task- to help our city revitalize itself. Many look at the task- particularly the present ideas for the success of the gondola and rec center- and, like young Luke Skywalker, exclaim that it is impossible. The truth of the matter is that if we don't believe such a task will succeed, it won't even (pun intended) get off the ground. In the Bible, Paul says that faith is "the evidence of things not seen". Many naysayers ask for proof. They want it shown without a doubt that this project cannot fail. Yet, as was pointed out by "Sons of Ogden" on the "Good in Ogden" blog, would that proof even be enough?

Ogden is on the verge of success, we can do what has been envisioned. Are we up to the task? Do we believe? Or will we simply sit on the side of the swamp and say, "You ask the impossible"? The answers, dear padawans, lie within each of you.

May the Force be with us all!!