Different Roads, Same Destination

One of my favorite movie series and fandoms of all time is Star Wars. The original trilogy from the ‘70s-‘80s was and still is an amazing tale of good defeating evil. Star Wars has many characters that make up its universe and give us stories to remember. Two lesser-known, more recent characters that have stuck out to me are the Rebel fanatics named Luthen and Saw. Both are supporters of the Rebellion, fighting the tyranny of the Empire. While they share a common enemy and are aligned to the same side, they operate completely differently – Luthen is organized, diplomatic, and cunning, while Saw is aggressive, militant, and reckless. Both are ruthless in their methods, but they are often in conflict with each other and don’t agree with the other’s strategies. One conversation particularly captures their disagreement well: Luthen Rael: “I’m the one that says we’ll die with nothing if we don’t put aside our petty differences.” Saw Gerrera: “Petty? I am the only one with clarity of purpose.”

Looking at the Rebellion’s efforts in hindsight, it is certain that both men were critical to its success. Two people with completely different ideologies, fighting for the same end goal.

How often do we see this play out in our faith? Someone who may not think the same as you, but is ultimately working toward the same goal? Our flesh may want to meet someone with disagreement and disunity, but the Lord often wants us to listen and try to understand first. I’m not talking about false teaching or doctrine, but rather someone taking a different road than you would have. We see Jesus speak on this concept in Luke, “‘Master,’ said John, ‘we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.’ ‘Do not stop him,’ Jesus said, ‘for whoever is not against you is for you’” (Luke 9:49-50). The Lord made us all each uniquely as the Body, and we see so many commands throughout Scripture to preserve unity. When we work together, despite disagreements, we glorify God and point others to Him.