One of the Webster Christmas traditions is to go see a movie as a family. This year we chose “Rogue One”, a Star Wars film that is a prequel of the original Star Wars movie that came out in 1977. I enjoyed the show as I have been a Star Wars fan from its beginning.
I will try not to spoil the movie for those who have not yet seen it, but essentially it was about a time of great conflict in the universe. The struggle of good against evil was being fought on a cosmic scale. In that time, a group of unlikely heroes, banded together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction. This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves.
A key turn in the plot came when the rebel, Saw, asked the heroin how she can stand not doing something about the injustices of the Empire. She replied, “I just don’t look up.” Yet she finally did look up and doing so she inspired others to look up as well, and together they accomplished the mission.
They made a difference and fulfilled their mission because they looked up, looked out, and stepped up with sacrifice and service. As I thought about the film, I realized that we too make a difference if we look up, look out, and step out with sacrifice and service. And joining together with others we make even more difference.
We look up when we turn to God for purpose and meaning. We look up when we turn to God for understanding and direction. We look up when we invite God to help us see ourselves, others, and our world as God sees them and us.
We look out when we use God’s guidance to look for how we can best make a difference. We look out when we see others as beloved children of God, the same as us. We look out when we use that knowledge to discover how we can reach out to others with God’s love.
We step up when we put our faith into action. We step up when we put God’s mission first in our life and begin serving God. We step up when we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for a greater purpose.
We can join God’s mission of peace and love, and I pray we will. God’s force will be with us. Remember, God loves us more than we can ever imagine, and I love you too!
Tom
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