May the Fourth Be With You
One of my kids’ favorite days of the year is May 4. If you’re not a Star Wars fanatic, this day won’t mean much to you. For those who love and are obsessed with all things Star Wars, however, this is a holiday.
May 4 translates in the Star Wars realm to “May the Fourth be with you,” a play on the popular quote that repeats throughout the series, “May the Force be with you.”
While I’m not an avid fan, I have come to learn a few things about Stars Wars with sons as enthusiasts. We’ve had movie nights, trivia nights, and family Halloween costumes all dedicated to Star Wars, and both boys have had a Star Wars–themed birthday party. Over the last few years, I’ve also learned about different Star Wars spacecraft, the creatures called Wookiees, and lightsabers. What I find most interesting, though, are the spiritual themes woven throughout the Star Wars series.
The Dark Side
As with any good action movie, the Star Wars films have good guys and bad guys. The bad guys are from the “dark side.” They represent all that is evil in the galactic world of Star Wars, and they’re destructive and powerful. They try to tempt the good guys to turn away from their alliance and join the dark side.
How similar is that to Satan and the darkness of the world we live in today? Throughout Scripture we’re reminded that Satan is real and that he’s out to destroy. We’re also told to be on guard so we won’t succumb to his temptations.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. (John 10:10 NIV)
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:10–12 NIV, emphasis mine)
While the dark side is portrayed as a fictional sphere in Star Wars, darkness is real and present in our world today and in the lives of the people we love. Christians are called to be a light in the dark, and we need to go to battle.
The Light Side
In Star Wars, the Jedi and the Rebel Alliance are part of the good side. The Jedi stand for goodness and truth and righteousness, and in every episode, the rebels fight against the dark side. They put their lives on the line to stand up for what they believe in and to protect the galaxy from being overtaken by the dark side.
Like the Jedi, we, too, need to flee from the dark side and train ourselves to fight the good fight. Writing to his protégé Timothy about false teaching, the apostle Paul said, “Flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:11–12 NIV).
The Force is the mysterious power the Jedi rely on for the strength to help them overcome the dark side. It’s described to one Jedi this way: “The light…it’s always been there. It will guide you.” While everyone in the Rebel Alliance seems to trust in the Force, only select Jedi have the Force.
Thankfully, all we need to do to receive the Holy Spirit is ask Jesus to be our Savior. Then his Spirit comes and lives inside of us to be a light and a guide. In John 14:26, Jesus said, “The Advocate, 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” (NIV). And in Acts 1:8 Jesus said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (NKJV).
Friends, May 4 is an exciting day for those whose love for and infatuation with Star Wars runs deep. They will dress up in costumes, watch movies all day long, host Star Wars parties, and more. May 4 is their day.
Every day, though, is ours as Christians. Today is ours, tomorrow is ours, and the day after and the day after is ours. We don’t have just one day to celebrate our Lord and Savior. Every day we have is a gift, and we can put down our lightsabers and raise our sword of the Spirit.
While Star Wars enthusiasts are greeting one another with “May the Force be with you,” I will leave you with this: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV).
Peace be with you.
is a homeschooling mom of four. She is a Jersey girl at heart but now lives in Michigan with her husband Jeff and their kids. Heather enjoys reading, coffee-ing, worshipping and writing. She is passionate about her family and living the full life. You can find her at heathergerwing.com.
Photograph © Cade Roberts, used with permission
