A Long Time Ago in a Creator Far, Far Away...

Once upon a time, George Lucas was the creator of Star Wars.

Some would argue he still is.

Unfortunately, most of us know better…sort of like how it is in any kind of church ministry.

Depending upon how old you are, you either grew up with Star Wars or inherited it from the generation before you.

If the former, your “apostles” were Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Ben Kenobi, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2 and Yoda. We’ll perhaps tag Darth Vader, Wedge and Admiral “IT’S A TRAP!“ Ackbar in there, too. (Notice how I’m conveniently ignoring the Ewoks.)

If the latter, I’m so sorry… so, so sorry. You likely saw the original three great movies on a small screen. To make matters worse, your version of “big screen Star Wars” involved Jar Jar Binks, parliamentary style dialogue, Jake “Are you an angel?” Lloyd, more parliamentary style dialogue, Hayden “Annie, are you okay?“ Christensen, even more parliamentary style dialogue, Batman-style hair-do, and… apparently… even more parliamentary style dialogue.

Perhaps that’s why I appreciated a 2013 video called “4 Ways to Make Star Wars Great Again,” addressed to J.J. Abrams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_joDNOpeWWo

It’s a fun video that highlights two outstanding realities:

Apparently, George Lucas was not at the helm of the next three movies.
Apparently, the fans knew better than the creator regarding what the story is all about.

Perhaps you see the analogy, but play along with me a moment.

George Lucas had already been planning to make a seventh Star Wars film before he sold his company Lucasfilm to Disney. He made the studio aware of his plotline for Star Wars: Episode 7, but Disney rejected the ideas. Lucas had hoped at one point to then direct “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” but then bowed out of it stating that he didn’t anticipate it would be fun anymore – and perhaps he should spend time with his family instead.

At what point do the fans know more than the creator does?

Surely you feel this as you endeavor to follow and serve God.

Perhaps it takes place on a human level – there are people around you who always “know better” than you do, even though you’re quite sure your experience, wisdom or leadership role could trump them… and you’re not sure whether to assert your confidence or draw back in humility.
Perhaps it takes place on a spiritual level – there are individuals nearby who are professing Christ and yet insisting on lifestyle or principles that don’t reflect Christ at all… and you’re not sure whether to confront them or distance yourself from them.
Perhaps it takes place on an internal level – there is something happening inside of you these days that seems to be competing against what God is up to… and you’re not sure whether to ignore the discrepancy because of your busyness or unplug to dive into the depths of your soul.

A long time ago in a Creator far, far away…

“I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.” (Isaiah 45:12 ESV)

At some point the Creator’s “fans” believed they knew better than the Creator regarding what the Story was all about. It’s still true today, isn’t it? We’re all a little tempted to look at the One in charge and say “you’re fired.”

Whether we’re reading stories of pastors resigning from their churches in order to explore “the edges of religion and faith and God” or coming up with new ways to do church as we grow ourselves, we can become healthier on our journey by practicing what Thom and Joanie Shultz in “Why Nobody Wants To Go To Church Anymore“ call genuine humility. divine anticipation, radical hospitality and fearless conversation.