Rebels

Dear reader, 

If you’ve known me for any period of time you probably know that I have grown up with Star Wars. 

It is one of the clearest memories I have as a child watching the first movie (Episode IV) and my mom making sure I knew that everything in it was fake. 

Over the years there have been so many different tales told in the Star Wars universe, and in doses of moderation, I have watched most of them. 

From the Mandolorian to the Clone Wars, there have been so many stories with characters I’ve known and loved as a kid, to where I am now as a middle-aged adult. 

The other day I was eating my lunch and I wanted to turn on a show while I ate. Nothing too long so I didn’t spend my whole afternoon being numb. 

I flipped on Animaniacs (Which I thoroughly enjoy) but then I recalled that it was on Hulu and the amount of ads that played during a 20-minute show was quite irritating. 

I know all of you reading this that grew up on cable and having to watch commercial breaks are either scoffing or giggling to yourself. I understand that I’m impatient, and sometimes I will put up with it. 

But in a world where I have the choice not to, I selfishly choose the easier path here and there. 

Back to the story, I turned on Disney+ and looked for something to watch. I came across a Star Wars show called ‘Rebels’ and I thought 

“Why haven’t I seen this yet?”

I remembered seeing a trailer for it and thinking it was more of a kids’ show, and I didn’t want to stoop so low, but then I thought I’d kill my pride and watch the kid show. 

The first episode followed Ezra a street rat from Lothal. (Picture Aladdin but in Star Wars) as he steals a box that he thinks he can sell to make money. 

The box belongs to The Empire (Stormtroopers and Darth Vader are on this side.) so Ezra’s logic was I don’t follow the Empire, their bad and I don’t like their rules and standards, so I won’t follow them. 

Now he’s a likeable character don’t get me wrong. But this kid show got me thinking about rebellion. 

Rebels are considered the heroes in the Star Wars universe. The Empire is bad, as it is realistically a dictatorship that is stretching its hand across the galaxy to form a first-world order. 

But like, if this truly were to happen to us here, how should we as believers respond?

The rebels steal, blow things up, and kill stormtroopers. I know they talk about what they’re doing is right, but realistically I don’t know if I can side with them. 

Sure they use the moral compass to make decisions, (to follow the force) but as I sat there eating I couldn’t help but think I don’t know if I could be a Rebel. 

Yes, I’d want to fight for what’s right, but it truly seems like the tip too far into the extremist category. Governments are corrupted everyone is I don’t care who you vote for, Satan’s got his hands in every place in government. 

So would I truly be helping if I gathered people to fight against the government? 

Even if they outlawed churches, bibles, and Christianity which is the direction the world will continue to turn. Do I become a Rebel and fight the government in this? Or just be an outlaw for the sake of Christ. 

I’m all for standing firm on your beliefs. No matter how dark the world turns I plan on standing as close to my savior and His Bride till the day I’m dead. But doing things that scripture deems wrong to defend my beliefs I don’t think is the way to go about it at all. 

I don’t know if we share this same conviction, but I think of Jesus when he says to submit to the government placed above you, and when he says that to the crowd listening they were under Roman rule, a pretty brutal place may I add. 

Run this race well. You are not here to cause chaos or division. Each ruler is ordained by God, there’s no one in places of power that weren’t hand-picked by God. 

You are to continue living your life in a way that is set apart from this world. Stand out yes, but stain the name of Jesus as you do so. 

Don’t rebel in the ways Star Wars preaches. Rebel against this world and the things within it. Don’t conform but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

That’s a rebellion I can get behind. 

Sincerely, 

Your Fellow Rebel For Christ

-Mitchell