Tag Archives: Anakin Skywalker

Devotional

THE FORCE WITHIN, part 6: Courageous Leadership

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Read Philippians 2:3-4

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NLT).

From the eternal struggle between light and darkness to the quest for redemption and the power of hope, Star Wars offers profound insights into the human condition and the mysteries of the divine. Through the Force , the saga explores the interconnectedness of all life and the call to embrace our inner potential for goodness and compassion. As we journey through the galaxy, we will be uncovering the transformative truths that resonate deeply with our own faith journeys.

Part 6: Courageous Leadership. In a galaxy far, far away, amidst the swirling currents of conflict and hope, there emerged a figure whose courage and leadership shone like a guiding star – Leia Organa. From the moment of her birth in the tumultuous events of “Revenge of the Sith” to her pivotal role in Episodes 4-9, Leia’s journey embodies the essence of courageous leadership, both in the fictional realms of Star Wars and in our own lives.

Leia’s story is one of resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity. Born the daughter of Anakin Skywalker into a galaxy ravaged by war, she emerged not as a victim of circumstance, but as a beacon of hope. As a member of the Rebel Alliance, she displayed unwavering courage in the face of the tyrannical rule of the Galactic Empire, never yielding to fear or despair.

One of the defining moments of Leia’s journey occurs in “A New Hope” when she witnesses the annihilation of her beloved home planet, Alderaan. In the aftermath of this devastating loss, Leia does not retreat into despair, but rather channels her grief into a renewed determination to fight for justice and freedom. Her resilience in the face of tragedy serves as a powerful example of true leadership.

Leia’s leadership style is marked by compassion, strength, and selflessness. She leads not out of a desire for power or recognition, but out of a genuine concern for the well-being of others. Whether she’s strategizing on the battlefield or offering words of wisdom and encouragement to her comrades, Leia leads with grace and humility.

Philippians 2:3-4 reminds us to embody humility and selflessness in our interactions with others. By considering the needs and interests of others above our own, we cultivate a spirit of unity and harmony within our communities. Leia’s leadership exemplifies this principle, as she consistently puts the well-being of others before her own desires and ambitions.

In “The Last Jedi,” Leia’s leadership is put to the ultimate test as she grapples with the weight of her responsibilities and the uncertainty of the future. Despite facing overwhelming challenges, both internal and external, she remains steadfast in her commitment to the cause she believes in. Her unwavering resolve inspires those around her to persevere in the face of adversity.

Leia’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership is not measured by titles or accolades, but by the willingness to stand up for what is right, even when it’s difficult. It requires courage to speak out against injustice, compassion to care for those in need, and humility to admit when we don’t have all the answers.

Joshua 1:9 parallels Leia’s journey in many ways. Just as Joshua was called to be strong and courageous in the face of daunting challenges, Leia demonstrates unwavering courage and resolve as she leads the Rebel Alliance against the oppressive forces of the Galactic Empire. This verse reminds us that God’s presence empowers us to face adversity with confidence and courage.

As we reflect on Leia’s legacy in light of Scripture, let us be inspired to emulate her courage and leadership in our own lives. May we have the strength to stand firm in our convictions, the compassion to care for those around us, and the humility to recognize that true leadership is not about being perfect, but about being willing to step forward, even in the face of uncertainty.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Courageous leadership isn’t about being fearless; it’s about facing our fears head-on and leading with integrity, even in the midst of uncertainty and adversity.

PRAYER
Lord, grant us the courage to lead with strength and compassion, following the example of Leia Organa. May we stand firm in our convictions and inspire others to do the same. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.

Devotional

THE FORCE WITHIN, part 5: Fall and Redemption

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Read Luke 15:11-32

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT).

From the eternal struggle between light and darkness to the quest for redemption and the power of hope, Star Wars offers profound insights into the human condition and the mysteries of the divine. Through the Force , the saga explores the interconnectedness of all life and the call to embrace our inner potential for goodness and compassion. As we journey through the galaxy, we will be uncovering the transformative truths that resonate deeply with our own faith journeys.

Part 5: Fall and Redemption. Anakin Skywalker’s journey from a young slave boy on Tatooine to the powerful Jedi Knight and ultimately Darth Vader, Sith Lord, is a narrative of prophecy, choice, and redemption that resonates deeply with our own struggles. Anakin was born with unparalleled potential in the Force, believed to be the Chosen One destined to bring balance to the Force. However, his path was fraught with challenges, leading him to both the heights of heroism and the depths of darkness.

Anakin’s fall to the dark side was a slow descent into the abyss, fueled by pride, fear, and a lust for power. His arrogance and impatience often led him to challenge the wisdom of the Jedi Council, fostering resentment and doubt. His attachment to Padmé Amidala, forbidden by the Jedi Code, became a source of fear and insecurity, driving him to desperate measures to protect her.

The seeds of Anakin’s downfall were sown in his inability to confront and overcome his inner demons. His fear of loss, particularly the loss of those he loved, became a consuming obsession, clouding his judgment and blinding him to the corruption festering within him. His impulsive actions and refusal to heed the warnings of his mentors only served to deepen his descent into darkness.

However, redemption was not out of reach for Anakin. Despite his transformation into Darth Vader, the love for his children, especially his son Luke Skywalker, remained a flicker of light in his soul. It was through Luke’s unwavering belief in his father’s goodness that Anakin found the strength to break free from the shackles of the dark side.

In the pivotal moment aboard the second Death Star, Anakin made the ultimate sacrifice to save his son, fulfilling the prophecy of the Chosen One. In embracing the light side of the Force once more, Anakin found redemption and brought balance to the Force, restoring hope to the galaxy.

Anakin’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of choice and the possibility of redemption. No matter how far we may stray or how deeply we may fall, God’s love and grace are always available to lead us back to the light. Just as Anakin found redemption through love, so too can we find redemption through the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ.

For us, nurturing a sense of hope in redemption despite our sins requires acknowledging our weaknesses and seeking forgiveness. It involves turning away from the darkness and embracing the light of God’s love. By cultivating a spirit of humility, repentance, and faith, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God’s grace. Through prayer, Scripture study, fellowship with other believers, and acts of service, we can actively participate in our own journey of redemption, trusting that God’s love is greater than our failures and His mercy is endless.

Just as Anakin Skywalker found redemption and brought balance to the Force, we too can experience the transformative power of God’s love in our lives. No matter how far we may have strayed or how deeply we may have fallen, there is always hope in the redemptive love of Jesus Christ. Let us embrace this hope, trusting in God’s infinite mercy and grace, and strive to live lives that reflect God’s light and love to the world around us.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Even in our darkest moments, God’s love has the power to redeem and transform us, leading us from darkness to light.

PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for the story of Anakin Skywalker, a powerful reminder of your boundless love and grace. Help us to remember that no one is beyond redemption, and guide us in choosing the path of light and love each day. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.

Devotional

THE FORCE WITHIN, part 4: Trust

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Read Luke 22:39-44

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT).

From the eternal struggle between light and darkness to the quest for redemption and the power of hope, Star Wars offers profound insights into the human condition and the mysteries of the divine. Through the Force , the saga explores the interconnectedness of all life and the call to embrace our inner potential for goodness and compassion. As we journey through the galaxy, we will be uncovering the transformative truths that resonate deeply with our own faith journeys.

Part 4: Trust. Welcome back, fellow travelers, to another installment of our ongoing journey through the cosmic wisdom found in the Star Wars saga. Today, we delve into the depths of trust with a focus on the enigmatic Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn. In our previous encounters, we’ve explored the trials and triumphs of a few characters, but now we turn our attention to Qui-Gon’s story, a saga of faith amidst the swirling currents of destiny.

Qui-Gon Jinn, a name whispered in reverence across the galaxy, embodies the essence of trust in the Force. From his humble beginnings as a Padawan to his ascension as a Jedi Master, Qui-Gon’s path is marked by unwavering faith in the will of the Force. In our last discussion, we witnessed his pivotal role and mentoring Obi-Wan Kenobi, who rose up to be a great and pivotal Jedi Master in the rebellion against the Empire.

In the heart of Qui-Gon’s journey lies a profound lesson in trusting the Force even when faced with opposition or uncertainty. His relationship with Obi-Wan serves as a testament to this trust. From the moment Qui-Gon takes Obi-Wan as his Padawan, their bond is marked by mutual respect and a shared commitment to the Jedi way. Despite their differences in temperament and approach to the Force, Qui-Gon sees in Obi-Wan a potential for greatness and chooses to trust in the Force’s guidance for his young apprentice. Through their adventures together, Qui-Gon instills in Obi-Wan a deep sense of trust in the Force, a trust that will shape Obi-Wan into the Jedi Knight he would become.

Likewise, in Luke 22:42 (NLT), we witness Jesus’ unwavering trust in the will of God during his agonizing prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. Faced with the impending sacrifice of his life on the cross, Jesus surrenders his own desires to the greater purpose ordained by God. His prayer, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done,” reflects a perfect trust in God’s plan, despite the immense suffering it entails.

The parallel between Qui-Gon and Jesus illustrates the universal truth of trusting in a higher power’s plan, even when it defies human logic or brings hardship. In Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT), we find a timeless exhortation to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to lean not on our own understanding. This verse reminds us that true trust involves surrendering our limited perspective and submitting to God’s wisdom, knowing that God will direct our paths.

As we reflect on Qui-Gon’s journey, Jesus’ sacrifice, and the timeless wisdom found in Scripture, we are challenged to apply these lessons to our own lives. Like Qui-Gon, we may encounter moments of doubt or opposition where trusting in God’s plan seems difficult. Yet, in those moments, may we find inspiration in the perfect trust of Jesus Christ and the unwavering faith of Qui-Gon Jinn. Let us lean into the guiding force of God’s love and wisdom, knowing that God alone holds the stars in God’s hands.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
In a galaxy teeming with uncertainty, trust becomes our guiding star, leading us ever closer to the divine purpose woven into the fabric of existence.

PRAYER
Eternal Creator, in the vast expanse of the cosmos, you have written our stories with infinite care and wisdom. Grant us the courage to trust in your will, even when the path ahead is fraught with peril. May we surrender our hearts to the force of your love, knowing that you alone hold the stars in your hands. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.

Devotional, Previous Post

REVISITED: The Force Awakens

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Read Luke 1:5-20

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“The father instantly cried out, ‘I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!’”

So, this is a pretty awesome week and today is the reason it is awesome. Some of you, no doubt, know exactly why today is awesome. Others of you might be scratching your heads. Today is the day that Star Wars: The Force Awakens is released in theaters. I am a huge Star Wars fan and am so glad to see Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) all reunited on the screen in a battle to save the galaxy from the evil Galactic Empire. Yes, this pretty much constitutes me as a nerd, and I am laying claim on it! Star wars is where it is at!

In anticipation of the new film, I have rewatched the Star Wars Saga, starting with Episode 1 and concluding with Episode 6. As I was watching them, I once again became enthralled with and in awe of Master Yoda’s philosophical and, if I may be completely honest, theological teachings. Yes, Star Wars is theological at its very core and, truth be told, are faith-based movies if I have ever seen any. The only difference between these and the films we know to be “faith-based” films produced by Christians, is that George Lucas and the writers of Star Wars use subtlety and allow the theological and philosophical components impact you as they do. They let the theological and faith elements speak for themselves, if you will.

One such example is, and one of my all-time favorite Yoda moments, is when he is teaching young Luke Skywalker while in exile on the planet Dagobah. He is teaching the young apprentice that if he is going to be a Jedi, he is going to need to confront the darkest parts of his life and conquer himself. If he doesn’t, those darkest parts will conquer him and lead him to the dark side. He needs to conquer and move beyond his fears, his anger, and is lack of faith in in the force, as well as in himself. But this, obviously, is no easy task.

In this scene, Luke sees his ship sink into a swamp, where he accidentally landed it, and he instantly loses hope. Yoda challenges him to use the force in order to bring the ship back up and onto dry land. Luke is doubtful he can do it. “It’s to big for me!” he exclaims. “Size matters not,” Yoda snaps back. He tells the Yoda that the force is in all things and transcends all things. He tells him, in essence, that there is nothing too big or too small for anyone of faith to handle. He then challenges him again to use the force in order to lift the X-Wing plane out of the swamp.

“I’ll try,” a doubtful Luke said. “No!” Yoda exclaimed. “Do. Or Do not. There is no try.” But Luke doesn’t get it. He still thinks the plane is too big FOR HIM to lift it out of the swamp; therefore, he only TRIES to lift it out, rather than just believing and doing what his master is trying to teach him. After failing in his attempt to lift the X-Wing, Yoda shakes his head in frustration and then proceeds to lift the plane out of the swamp through the power of the force. “I cannot believe it,” Luke exclaims. Yoda responds, looking Luke resolutely in the eyes, “That is why you fail.”

How true that is, not just in the intergalactic Star Wars universe, but in our lives as well. We claim to be people of faith, we claim that God has the power to build heaven on earth, to bring justice to the oppressed, to bring freedom to the poor, to bring release for the captive and bring hope, healing and wholeness, peace and tranformation to a world desperately in need of it. Yet, what are we doing? Not trying to do…but what are we doing to bring this about? Do we really believe or, like Luke, are we deflated by our own doubt and our own lack of faith? Do we really believe, or will we have the honesty that finally rose up in Luke to admit that we simply can’t believe? For it is that lack of belief that is the real reason we are failing to see any transformation in our lives…let alone in our world. Just as that acknowledgement didn’t mean Luke was hopeless, neither are we. Luke did eventually come to believe, and we can too; the choice is ultimately ours. Choose to build your faith up in God and allow God to work that tranformation in you and in the world around you.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“My success isn’t a result of arrogance – it’s a result of belief.” – Conor McGregor
PRAYER
Lord, help me in my unbelief so that I may fulfill all that it is that you created me for. Amen.

Devotional, Previous Post

REVISITED: The Path to the Dark Side

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Read 2 Timothy 1:6-8

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“So what are we going to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31 CEB)

One of my favorite film series of all times is the Star Wars saga. I grew up watching the original series of films, “Star Wars”, “The Empire Strikes Back”, and “The Return of the Jedi”. While many people criticized the newer films, finding them to be more about special effects and less to do with plot and character development, I actually disagree with that. The Phantom Menace for example, which was my least favorite of the films, was still filled with the same story and character development as the others. And we find great wisdom in it as well.

In it we come across a young Anakin Skywalker who, as all fans know right from the get-go, will one day become Darth Vader. With that said, he wasn’t always bad and, in fact, a Jedi comes to see great hope in his abilities to naturally tap into the force and so he decides to train him. In order for Anakin to be trained, however, he would have to leave his mom (both he and his mom were slaves) as the Jedi could only secure his release. As it would any 9-year-old boy, having to leave his mother behind devastates and distresses him and he vows to come back and free her one day.

Yet, before any future Jedi can be trained, the council has to approve the person to be trained. Thus, the Jedi brings Anakin before the council to be questioned and, hopefully, approved. While they are impressed with Anakin’s natural ability to sense and use the force, Yoda (who is the head of the council) is concerned for this young boy as well. He states that he senses fear in Anakin. “You have much fear in you. You fear the loss of your mother, don’t you?” Yoda interrogated. Anakin replied defensively, “What’s that have to do with anything?”

Yoda’s face turned even more concerned. “Everything,” he exlaimed back! “Fear is the path that leads to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hatred. Hatred leads to suffering.” What Yoda is trying to convey to young Anakin is that, while fear is a natural part of life, if we allow it to control us it will lead us to dark and, often, deadly places. This is a profound truth and we don’t have to think far or wide in order to reach it. Look at post-World War I Germany. It lost a major world war, had been dumped with the expenses of that war by those who fought against them, and they had fallen into a terrible depression. Along came a young man, who was a former soldier, and would-be leader, who sensed the fear of the people, drummed up that fear, and used that fear to scapegoat groups of people as being the ones holding Germany down. Ultimately, Adolph Hitler’s personal fears, as well as the fears of Germany which he preyed upon, led to the rising up of one of the greatest evils in modern human history. Yes, fear is the path that leads to the dark side.

We live in such a fear-driven world right now. We are a people who are fearful of each other, we’re fearful of our leaders, we’re fearful of people with different politcial viewpoints, we’re fearful of people from other countries, we’re fearful of people from other religions, and we’re fearful of terrorism and a very real existenital threat to our lives and to our way of life. All of these things strike fear into the hearts of people; however, it is in that fear that I hear people suggesting all sorts of things that, in another time and place, they would be horrified at hearing others even suggest.

For us, the question is not whether or not we will experience fear. We will! The question should be for us, in the voice of Yoda, is this: “What, to fear, will your response be? Hmmmm?” Will you succumb to your fears and place your faith wildly in the winds of rapid response? Or will you place your faith in force…rather, in the presence of God? Will you let your fears drive you, or will you let your God guide you? The one way leads to the dark side (e.g. anger, hatred, and suffering), the other way leads to forgiveness, mercy, compassion, hope, love, joy and peace. Yours to make, young padiwan, the choice is.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“To him who is in fear everything rustles.” – Sophocles
PRAYER
Lord, drive my fears far from me, for they are not of you. Fill me, rather, with faith and hope and love. Amen.

Devotional

The Sermon, part 27: The False Ones

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Read Matthew 7:15-23

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:11-13 NRSV)

“Beware of False prophets”, Jesus warns his disciples in the Gospel According to Matthew.” This is not a warning of outsiders coming into Christian circles to lead them astray, but of insiders. This is a warning that Jesus makes to his disciples regarding other Christians who call Jesus, “Lord, Lord,” but are only do so with their mouth and not with their deeds. Their words produce praises of Jesus, but their actions contradict and stand against the will of God as given through Jesus Christ.

Since I am in a huge Star Wars mood at the moment, I will liken Jesus’ warning to the first three episodes of the Star Wars franchise. Young Anakin Skywalker had such potential to be a powerful and just Jedi, as well as to be the one who restores the balance to the force and defeats the evil Sith. Yet, Anakin is seduced by the very evil that he is sworn to oppose. That evil, however, did not come in the form of evil. Instead, it came in the form of a kind and seemingly generous old Senator from the noble planet of Naboo.

Senator Palpatine was seemingly a patriot, a friend and ally of the Jedi, and someone who consistently stated he wanted to restore justice to the Republic. When he met young Anakin Skywalker, he acted as a grandfather like character and, behind the scenes, secretly mentored the young Jedi padawan. Unfortunately, behind his kindly words and seemingly sagely advice, lie the sinister and poisonous tongue of an evil and powerful sith Lord.

Over time, Palpatine gained the loyalty of Anakin Skywalker, and was able to lead him to the dark side of the force. Just as Palpatine was being revealed as the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, what good was left in Anakin died and he became the Sith Lord Darth Vader. Together, they would topple the democratic Republic and establish the evil Galactic Empire, ruling the entire galaxy in complete and utter tyranny.

This tragedy is what Jesus is warning his disciples against; however, we need to pause before move to the final point. This particular passage troubles me; however, I do not dismiss it or pass it off as untrue or unimportant. It troubles me because the accusation of “False Prophet” gets weilded around Christianity like Darth Sidious weilded the world “Rebellion” and “Traitor”. It gets thrown out against other Christians who hold different theologies and doctrinal understandings but self-righteous and zealot Christians who think that their way of understanding is the ONLY and RIGHT way of understanding.

I can tell you that I have been called a false prophet, as have many Christian leaders out there. I don’t just mean modern Christians either. Paul was called a “false Apostle” by his Jewish-Christian brothers and sisters. Even Jesus was called a false prophet and false Messiah by some of the Jewish leaders who opposed him. Using the label “false prophet” in such away is not only counter to Jesus’ intent here, it also bears the kind of evil that we see in Sidious and Vader who accuse and destroy their opponents.

To throw this accusation out willy nilly because one doesn’t agree with another brother or sister in Christ, not only besmirches them, it also spiritually damages them and blasphemes the Holy Spirit working within them. That kind of blasphemy, according to Jesus, is the ONLY unforgiveable kind of sin because it goes beyond mere sin and enters the realm of evil. One no longer sees God as supreme, but places onself in the seat of God’s supremacy. Such a person is no longer aware of their own sin, but sees their sinfulness and sinful nature as just and righteous. Of course, not all who have been afraid of false prophets, or thrown that accusation around, are irredeemable. I believe no one is irredeemable; however, Jesus’ warning is rightfully strong, because once someone has crossed over that threshold, it is very hard to come back.

Thus, here is Jesus’ point. Not all who call themselves Christian are TRULY followers of Lord Jesus Christ. Only those who do the will of God are. This isn’t measured in one perfectly following the will of God; however, it is measured in their heart and in their overall fruit. Only God can judge the heart, but we can see evidence of the fruit. So, what kind of fruit does a Christian bear? That is simple: LOVE. Those who strive to love God, love neighbor, love enemies, and follow the golden rule, are the ones who are true followers. Those who claim to be Christian but bear the fruit of judgment, self-righteousness, bitterness, envy, hatred, resentfulness, and pride are the ones Christ is warning us against. Be warned and be self-aware.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“Words are cheap, heart-driven actions are costly.” – Rev. Todd R. Lattig

PRAYER
Lord, steer me away from all who are false, and steer me away from being false. Amen.

Devotional

The Force Awakens

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Read Luke 1:5-20

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“The father instantly cried out, ‘I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!’”

So, this is a pretty awesome week and today is the reason it is awesome. Some of you, no doubt, know exactly why today is awesome. Others of you might be scratching your heads. Today is the day that Star Wars: The Force Awakens is released in theaters. I am a huge Star Wars fan and am so glad to see Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) all reunited on the screen in a battle to save the galaxy from the evil Galactic Empire. Yes, this pretty much constitutes me as a nerd, and I am laying claim on it! Star wars is where it is at!

In anticipation of the new film, I have rewatched the Star Wars Saga, starting with Episode 1 and concluding with Episode 6. As I was watching them, I once again became enthralled with and in awe of Master Yoda’s philosophical and, if I may be completely honest, theological teachings. Yes, Star Wars is theological at its very core and, truth be told, are faith-based movies if I have ever seen any. The only difference between these and the films we know to be “faith-based” films produced by Christians, is that George Lucas and the writers of Star Wars use subtlety and allow the theological and philosophical components impact you as they do. They let the theological and faith elements speak for themselves, if you will.

One such example is, and one of my all-time favorite Yoda moments, is when he is teaching young Luke Skywalker while in exile on the planet Dagobah. He is teaching the young apprentice that if he is going to be a Jedi, he is going to need to confront the darkest parts of his life and conquer himself. If he doesn’t, those darkest parts will conquer him and lead him to the dark side. He needs to conquer and move beyond his fears, his anger, and is lack of faith in in the force, as well as in himself. But this, obviously, is no easy task.

In this scene, Luke sees his ship sink into a swamp, where he accidentally landed it, and he instantly loses hope. Yoda challenges him to use the force in order to bring the ship back up and onto dry land. Luke is doubtful he can do it. “It’s to big for me!” he exclaims. “Size matters not,” Yoda snaps back. He tells the Yoda that the force is in all things and transcends all things. He tells him, in essence, that there is nothing too big or too small for anyone of faith to handle. He then challenges him again to use the force in order to lift the X-Wing plane out of the swamp.

“I’ll try,” a doubtful Luke said. “No!” Yoda exclaimed. “Do. Or Do not. There is no try.” But Luke doesn’t get it. He still thinks the plane is too big FOR HIM to lift it out of the swamp; therefore, he only TRIES to lift it out, rather than just believing and doing what his master is trying to teach him. After failing in his attempt to lift the X-Wing, Yoda shakes his head in frustration and then proceeds to lift the plane out of the swamp through the power of the force. “I cannot believe it,” Luke exclaims. Yoda responds, looking Luke resolutely in the eyes, “That is why you fail.”

How true that is, not just in the intergalactic Star Wars universe, but in our lives as well. We claim to be people of faith, we claim that God has the power to build heaven on earth, to bring justice to the oppressed, to bring freedom to the poor, to bring release for the captive and bring hope, healing and wholeness, peace and tranformation to a world desperately in need of it. Yet, what are we doing? Not trying to do…but what are we doing to bring this about? Do we really believe or, like Luke, are we deflated by our own doubt and our own lack of faith? Do we really believe, or will we have the honesty that finally rose up in Luke to admit that we simply can’t believe? For it is that lack of belief that is the real reason we are failing to see any transformation in our lives…let alone in our world. Just as that acknowledgement didn’t mean Luke was hopeless, neither are we. Luke did eventually come to believe, and we can too; the choice is ultimately ours. Choose to build your faith up in God and allow God to work that tranformation in you and in the world around you.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“My success isn’t a result of arrogance – it’s a result of belief.” – Conor McGregor
PRAYER
Lord, help me in my unbelief so that I may fulfill all that it is that you created me for. Amen.

Devotional

The Path to the Dark Side

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Read 2 Timothy 1:6-8

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“So what are we going to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31 CEB)

One of my favorite film series of all times is the Star Wars saga. I grew up watching the original series of films, “Star Wars”, “The Empire Strikes Back”, and “The Return of the Jedi”. While many people criticized the newer films, finding them to be more about special effects and less to do with plot and character development, I actually disagree with that. The Phantom Menace for example, which was my least favorite of the films, was still filled with the same story and character development as the others. And we find great wisdom in it as well.

In it we come across a young Anakin Skywalker who, as all fans know right from the get-go, will one day become Darth Vader. With that said, he wasn’t always bad and, in fact, a Jedi comes to see great hope in his abilities to naturally tap into the force and so he decides to train him. In order for Anakin to be trained, however, he would have to leave his mom (both he and his mom were slaves) as the Jedi could only secure his release. As it would any 9-year-old boy, having to leave his mother behind devastates and distresses him and he vows to come back and free her one day.

Yet, before any future Jedi can be trained, the council has to approve the person to be trained. Thus, the Jedi brings Anakin before the council to be questioned and, hopefully, approved. While they are impressed with Anakin’s natural ability to sense and use the force, Yoda (who is the head of the council) is concerned for this young boy as well. He states that he senses fear in Anakin. “You have much fear in you. You fear the loss of your mother, don’t you?” Yoda interrogated. Anakin replied defensively, “What’s that have to do with anything?”

Yoda’s face turned even more concerned. “Everything,” he exlaimed back! “Fear is the path that leads to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hatred. Hatred leads to suffering.” What Yoda is trying to convey to young Anakin is that, while fear is a natural part of life, if we allow it to control us it will lead us to dark and, often, deadly places. This is a profound truth and we don’t have to think far or wide in order to reach it. Look at post-World War I Germany. It lost a major world war, had been dumped with the expenses of that war by those who fought against them, and they had fallen into a terrible depression. Along came a young man, who was a former soldier, and would-be leader, who sensed the fear of the people, drummed up that fear, and used that fear to scapegoat groups of people as being the ones holding Germany down. Ultimately, Adolph Hitler’s personal fears, as well as the fears of Germany which he preyed upon, led to the rising up of one of the greatest evils in modern human history. Yes, fear is the path that leads to the dark side.

We live in such a fear-driven world right now. We are a people who are fearful of each other, we’re fearful of our leaders, we’re fearful of people with different politcial viewpoints, we’re fearful of people from other countries, we’re fearful of people from other religions, and we’re fearful of terrorism and a very real existenital threat to our lives and to our way of life. All of these things strike fear into the hearts of people; however, it is in that fear that I hear people suggesting all sorts of things that, in another time and place, they would be horrified at hearing others even suggest.

For us, the question is not whether or not we will experience fear. We will! The question should be for us, in the voice of Yoda, is this: “What, to fear, will your response be? Hmmmm?” Will you succumb to your fears and place your faith wildly in the winds of rapid response? Or will you place your faith in force…rather, in the presence of God? Will you let your fears drive you, or will you let your God guide you? The one way leads to the dark side (e.g. anger, hatred, and suffering), the other way leads to forgiveness, mercy, compassion, hope, love, joy and peace. Yours to make, young padiwan, the choice is.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“To him who is in fear everything rustles.” – Sophocles
PRAYER
Lord, drive my fears far from me, for they are not of you. Fill me, rather, with faith and hope and love. Amen.