Star Wars: Become the Hero Our World Needs

As we await J.J. Abrams' much anticipated Star Wars: The Last Jedi, I'm taken back to the first time I watched with intrigue the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Hans Solo.

My initial reaction to George Lucas' first trilogy may surprise you. Like many Lucas fans, I enjoyed the galactic-sized action scenes and epic storytelling. But, I disliked the main character. Luke Skywalker just got on my nerves.

An impulsive teenager, Luke couldn’t seem to grow out of his self-centered mindset. His poor, reckless decisions put him and everyone else in danger. That’s all I saw in him for the longest time.

Author Connie Neal helped change my mind. In her book, Wizards, Wardrobes, and Wookiees: Navigating Good and Evil in Harry Potter, Narnia, and Star Wars, she discusses how Luke radically evolves from an annoying teen to the warrior who brings down an evil Empire.

She points out that Luke "was born with a great destiny, but that transformation was brought about through his experiences along the path of his hero’s journey."

You Fulfill Your Destiny

Before Luke could overcome the dark side, he had to learn a few truths. First, he needed to let go of the ideas he had about how to fight in the rebellion.

In the beginning, Luke’s life consists of daily chores on his uncle and aunt’s farm on his home planet of Tatooine. Obi-Wan Kenobi, an aging Jedi master, offers to train him to be a Jedi just like his father. But, Luke’s not ready to take that path away from the only home he’s ever known.

Initially, Luke complains about taking responsibility for the farm, yet yields to his uncle’s wish to stay with the family. Then, life-altering events unfold that compel him to take steps toward fulfilling his destiny of becoming a Jedi warrior. Under the direction of Obi-Wan, Luke begins to learn the way of the force.

What Luke did not realize is that his dream of fighting with the rebel forces was his path long before he was born. He accepts his destiny and in the end saves the galaxy from total destruction.

"In each life resides the possiblity of overcoming evil with good. That will only be realized by those who answer the call," author Connie Neal states.

In the same way, don’t allow fear to keep you from your destiny. We are all a part of God's plan.

Wisdom, You Must Find

From the time Luke leaves Tatooine till the day he saved the galaxy, Obi-Wan and Yoda mentor him. Although he doesn’t always listen to his Jedi Masters, Luke learns to appreciate their wise counsel.

As Christians, we also must yield ourselves to the prompting of our God-given counselor, the Holy Spirit. Give the Spirit the chance to speak wisdom and guidance into your life.

The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26 NIV)

If it weren’t for Luke’s mentors, the ending of the final chapter in Star Wars™ would have been very different. Luke couldn’t have known his true history or the unexplainable power he can use against the dark side.

The Force is with You

Like most of us, Luke doesn’t reach his full potential until he learns to appropriately handle the supernatural power he’s given. The force is strong in him, but he is oblivious to how to use it.

Deep in the swamps on the planet Dagobah, Yoda teaches Luke a valuable lesson by challenging him to lift his fighter out of the muddy water in Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back.

Luke: We'll never get it out now!
Yoda: So certain are you. Always with you it cannot be done. Hear you nothing that I say?

We can never trust our own strength. God alone can move mountains. He just chooses to do magnificent miracles through us, who are in and of ourselves powerless people. He’s strong enough to show His might in our weakness.

Luke: I can't. It's too big.
Yoda: Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is.

[Using the Force, Yoda effortlessly frees the Luke's X-Wing]

Luke: I don't, I don't believe it.
Yoda: That is why you fail.

Luke: All right, I'll give it a try.
Yoda: No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.

In our humanness, we cannot wrap our minds around something that spectacular. But, God has said and proved that He is into doing the impossible.

At the climax of Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, Luke makes a final stand against his enemies. Tempted by the Emperor to join the dark side, Luke resists evil. His destiny is fulfilled and right order is brought back to the galaxy.

"To think of all the good Luke Skywalker was able to accomplish, even though it is a fantasy, is encouraging to the rest of us would-be heroes who relate to him before he become a hero," Neal states.

Be a hero in your world – fulfill God’s plan for your life by listening to wise counsel and yielding to the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.

The new installment to the Star Wars franchise, The Last Jedi, opens in theaters nationwide on December 15, 2017. The Rian Johnson-directed film stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Mark Hamill.