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The Galaxy’s Chosen One: A Devotional for a Jedi at Heart Copyright © 2020 Luisa Rodriguez All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. For permissions contact: [email protected]. Book Design and Illustrations by Luisa Rodriguez Fruitfully Write, LLC PO Box 417 Wasco, IL 60183-417 www.FruitfullyWrite.com 2 | The Galaxy’s Chosen One The Galaxy’s Chosen One A Devotional for Budding Jedi Star Wars has become a global phenomenon. Kids love it. Adults love it. Girls love it! I have two daughters who are die-hard Star Wars fans and they are not the only ones. So why is it that it has formed such a cult following? Marketing plays a big role and we all know that Disney knows how to do that well. But all the marketing in the world wouldn’t be able to create such a following if the story or characters didn’t appeal to the human heart. When George Lucas developed Star Wars, he was influenced by world religions and mythology. That influence is clearly seen through the Star Wars saga. There is a religious construct to the Jedi, for example, and allusions to religious stories and characters. I believe that Star Wars appeals to so many for the same reason religion appeals to so many — we were made to worship God and deep down, whether we are Christian or not, we know that there is a battle raging between the forces of good and evil. In this devotional series, I want to pull the representations of truth within the Star Wars franchise to help bring kids’ hearts back to God. Let’s help them see that the excitement they feel when watching a Star Wars movie is there because it represents something that is indeed going on around them. And that this Universe does have A Chosen One and his name is Jesus. The Galaxy’s Chosen One | 3 DAY 1 The Light Side vs Dark Side of the Force If you are a Star Wars fan, then you know that the Star Wars universe is divided into the light side and the dark side of the Force. But not every character is keenly aware of these two opposing powers. Sure, the Jedi are trained to recognize each of them, and the Sith thrive in the power of the dark side. However, your every-day smuggler shrugs his shoulders at the very thought! He could care less. He just wants to go about his day making money and paying off old debts to notorious gangsters. The real world is not much different. There are indeed two sides, a light side, and a dark side, and power emanates from both. …to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. Acts 26:18 ESV This Bible verse is an excerpt from Paul’s testimony as he is delivering it to King Herod Agrippa II. He recounts Jesus’ instructions to minister to Gentiles and Jews “so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. God wants to free His people from the power of the dark side. He wants to deliver them from the power of Satan into the power of the light side, His power. But just like our favorite scoundrel at the beginning of the Star Wars saga, most people are unaware of this raging battle between the light and the dark side. They are happy doing what they do, ignoring these forces around them. Sure they can identify when someone does something good or when someone does something evil, but they are happy living in the reality of what they can see. They don’t have time for “hokey religions,” and from their earthly experience, they have no reason to believe “there’s one all-powerful Force controlling everything.”1 Even scoundrels, however, can change their mind in the presence of those walking by the power of the light side, by those wielding the power of this all-powerful Force. In the next lesson, we will explore that Force. 1 Lucas, George, director. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Twentieth Century Fox, 1977. 4 | The Galaxy’s Chosen One Questions to Consider: 1. In the real world, how does one move from the power of the dark side to the power of the light? (Hint: John 8:12) 2. Have you ever noticed the battle in your life or in someone else’s life? 3. What causes people to ignore the raging battle between the light side and the dark side? The Galaxy’s Chosen One | 5 DAY 2 The Force Moving objects with the wave of a hand. Controlling the mind of weak-minded individuals with a few words. Sensing danger without actually seeing it. These are all capabilities would-be Jedi would one day learn as they harness the power of The Force. The Force is an energy field that connects everything in the Star Wars universe. A few lucky individuals born with the requisite number of midi-chlorians share a special connection with The Force. With time, these force-sensitive individuals can learn to harness its power for either good (the Jedi) or evil (the Sith). Christians also have access to a force, God’s force, the Holy Spirit. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV The power of the Holy Spirit became evident in the lives of the apostles and disciples of the early Christian Church. “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.” Acts 6:8 ESV And Stephen was not the only one. If you thought it was cool when Rey discovered her healing powers, then let me tell you about Peter and Paul. Without even having to touch the deformity, Peter healed a man with the simple words, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk,” and then grabbed his hand to get him going. Paul would do something similar in Acts 14. But healing was not the only manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s power in the lives of Peter and Paul. Both men would also raise the dead. The raised were not blue, ghostly figures hovering in the background. They were raised from the dead back to their carnal selves. The Spirit would also warn Paul of dangers ahead, direct the disciples and apostles on where to go and who they should talk to, and embolden them to face difficult situations. Pretty cool, huh? But I know the question you are asking, can we harness the power of this force and will I be able to move heavy objects? The answer is yes and probably not. Yes, you can harness the power of the Holy Spirit, but unlike in the Star Wars universe, you cannot "wield" it outside of God’s will and design! The purpose of us using the Holy Spirit is to help us be witnesses of the Gospel. If God so wills it, 6 | The Galaxy’s Chosen One the Holy Spirt can move a boulder out of your way, but that will not be an everyday occurrence. I have seen a 6-year-old girl stop thunder and lightning on several occasions with a simple prayer so nothing is out of the range of possibilities, but “wielding” the Holy Spirit in this life requires becoming one with the will of the Father. More on this one in the next lesson! QUESTIONS to Consider: 1. What are some ways you have seen the Holy Spirit move in people’s lives? 2. Have you ever sought to have the Holy Spirit move within your life? Why or why not? 3. When reflect on the Holy Spirit’s power, would your want to help others with it or would you want to use it only for selfish reasons? The Galaxy’s Chosen One | 7 DAY 3 Becoming an Expert Through the Force Every Jedi can use a lightsaber, but each Jedi, through the Force, becomes an expert at a particular skill set that outshines the rest. Yoda could see into the future. Anakin was the best pilot the universe had ever seen. Obi-Won Kenobi was an expert swordsman. Rey could heal the wounded. You get my point. Through the spirit, each Christian has a particular gift that God has endowed upon them. What are some of these gifts? Well, I Corinthians 12:7-11 gives us the following list. Utterance of Wisdom Utterance of Knowledge Faith Healing Working of Miracles Prophecy Ability to Distinguish between Spirits Various Kinds of Tongues (Speaking in Foreign Languages) Interpretation of Tongues (Interpreting Foreign Languages) But the gifts are not limited to these. Ephesians 4:11 mentions apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists, and Romans 12:5-8 adds mercy, generosity, serving, exhortation, and acts of mercy. And back in the Old Testament we even learn that the spirit could empower someone to use their artistic ability to create something extraordinary. Read about Bezalel in Exodus 31:2-3 when you get a chance.