If you have ever seen the Star Wars movies, you no doubt remember the wise character of Yoda. While not an imposing figure to look at, his Jedi Knight abilities were a force to be reckoned with. He also had a unique way of phrasing his sentences. One famous quote from the movies was the one written in the picture above “Do or do not – There is no try.” One of my sons recently sent me this picture. I was immediately taken by it, in conjunction with the ring in the box. In light of a culture that has begun to approach marriage with a flippancy that is chilling, the quote seems quite fitting.
I often hear individuals, and couples, talk about marriage as an option rather than a life-long permanent commitment. And honestly, in light of our divorce rate in this country, I understand their concerns and fears. As a result, many are “trying”. They are trying cohabitating first, which research consistently shows results in an increased divorce rate. They are perhaps even “trying” marriage, with the caveat of “if it works – great, if not, at least we gave it a try.” And yet to build relational security, to decrease the divorce rate and its damage to children and families, we just might want to heed the wisdom of Yoda. “Do or do not – There is no try.” We need to fully invest and commit ourselves to the most significant relationship in our lives. We need to be willing to burn all other bridges and eliminate all other options and completely commit to our spouse. If things are difficult, it is even more important that we eliminate the search of loopholes and reaffirm our decision to “do.” That ring represents an unbroken vow and a life-long endeavor with our mate. Consider today how you might better invest with your mate “To Do.”