I Am One With the Force, and the Force is With Me: How the Force is an Allegory for Christ’s Presence in Our Lives
“I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me.”
This was the mantra that Chirrut Imwe in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. And, sure, it’s a sci-fi movie, and, sure, the Force isn’t real. But there IS a “force” in this world, and that “force” is with us all.
Now, this “force” doesn’t grant us the ability to move objects with our minds, nor can we utilize it to expel bolts of lightning at one another. But this “force” is always with us, and, if we let it, we can be one with it.
This “force” that I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit is with all of us, and we can be one with the Holy Spirit, much in the same way that Chirrut is one with the Force.
God said it Himself in the Bible: “…the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” And this isn’t the only time He refers to His presence with us. He says it again in 1 Corinthians 6:17, “But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.” and again in Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” And those are just two of the verses a quick Google search brought up. God says it time and time again in the Scripture. He is with us. We are one with Him.
Obviously, there’s no Christianity in Star Wars, at least, nothing that was explicitly mentioned. It takes place in another galaxy (a long time ago, and far far away). But the Force, beyond it’s sci-fi superhuman abilities, is such a parallel to Christ’s presence. Not so much in the prequels (but who counts those, anyway?), but if you go back to the originals, Obi-Wan says that the Force surrounds us, penetrates us, and brings the galaxy together. Yoda says that the Force is his ally, “and a powerful ally it is.” Even Baze Malbus, Chirrut’s friend, describes the mantra “I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me” as a prayer.
God is the most powerful ally you could ever ask for. The Holy Spirit does surround us, and, if we accept it, accept Christ into our hearts, it penetrates us and brings us closer to Him, and closer to each other. And the best news of all, it doesn’t matter where you are, who you are, what your history is. You don’t have to have been a devout man like Chirrut your entire life to accept Christ and His salvation. What matters is now.
Many of the characters in Rogue One are good examples of this, but Baze Malbus is the best example. Chirrut describes Baze as having once been devout, but he long since abandoned the Force. He scoffs at it, much in the same way Han Solo did in the original Star Wars. But, and I’m sorry for spoilers here, at the end of the movie, Baze and Chirrut die. Chirrut goes out after proving that the Force is indeed with him, and he is one with the Force. His parting words are even to look for him in the Force. After he dies, Baze begins the same prayer that Chirrut has had the entire film, and he takes it on himself, chanting it until his own death. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never followed God before today. Today is what matters. Your choice, right now. Your choices tomorrow. It is never too late to find Christ. It is never too late to be one with the Holy Spirit.
Maz Kanata said of the Force, “The belonging you seek is not behind you… it is ahead. I am no Jedi, but I know the Force. It moves through and surrounds every living thing. Close your eyes… Feel it… The light… it’s always been there. It will guide you.” God has always been there. He will guide you. The belonging you seek is NOT behind you, it is ahead. Feel it. Be strong. Be courageous. Do not be frightened. Do not be dismayed. For we are one with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is with us all.
