Where were you on December 18, 2015? Were you in line with costumed nerds waiting for The Force to awaken? Do you have any idea what I’m talking about?
Yes, I am a Star Wars fan. No, I did not dress in costume. No, I did not wait in line. In fact, I didn’t even see the new movie until December 29, 11 whole days after it came out!
I even have to admit that I slept through part of the movie, not because it was boring, but because it’s what I do if I’m in a dark room and a semi-reclined chair at 4:00 in the afternoon. My kids will tell you that I have missed a few moments of some of my all-time favorite movies. That’s why I usually wait until I can see them at home: so I can hit “pause” when I’m sleepy, thirsty, need to use the restroom, etc.
There was something else that happened on December 18 that was much more important to me. I launched a new book. Actually, it is a book that I had previously written, but I bought back the publishing rights and released a revised and updated version on December 18.
Why would I choose a launch day when all the attention was on the new Star Wars movie? Because it is a book on Christian living with a Star Wars theme. I actually began writing the first version when the previous movie came out.
“Culture Wars: In search of spiritual Jedi” is not a book of science fiction, but of the reality that we need a different approach if we are ever going to see true cultural transformation. A quote from the book may help explain that:
“What we need to help transform this culture are some Christians who take the Jedi approach to life from a purely Christian perspective—their spiritual loyalties, their service, their interdependence, their humility—all driven by their total surrender to Jesus Christ.”
To my fellow Christ-followers, I say that our battle is not AGAINST the culture, but FOR the culture. Our lightsaber of truth is the Bible. The Holy Spirit is The Force at work in us. I said it this way in the book:
“This book is issued as a challenge: A challenge to be unsatisfied with cultural capitulation. A challenge to love God more than we love the culture. A challenge to love the culture too much to hand it over to the enemy. A challenge to become spiritual Jedi—entering the battle for the culture, wielding the lightsaber of truth under the direction of God’s Holy Spirit.”
To my fellow Christ-followers, I say our battle is not AGAINST the culture, but FOR the culture. Click To Tweet
The problems in our culture are not “out there.” I am the problem.
When I lose my focus, I will surrender to the Dark Side. Every time. I’m looking for some fellow Jedi who are convinced that our culture matters to God.
Will you join me?
