I believe that there is a lot of scientific evidence that points to a Creator. It seems unlikely to me that the entire universe happened by accident. I know plenty of people don’t hold that opinion, but the universe is just too beautiful and too perfect to have been the result of the equivalent of a cosmic lottery ticket.
I also think that there is a lot of the human character and condition that speaks to a Creator as well. When we see examples of courage, love, service, selflessness and sacrifice, something stirs deep within our souls.
When Han shows up to help Luke destroy the Death Star, something stirs deep within our souls.
When Spock sacrifices his single life for the good of many lives, something stirs deep within our souls.
When Dobby gives up everything he has to rescue Harry, something stirs deep within our souls.
Even though these are just fictional stories about service and sacrifices, they reflect the very present reality of a God who also serves and sacrifices. Stories of sacrifice, fictional or nonfictional, always stir something in us because they reflect the heart of our Creator. And instead of just being moved by stories of sacrifice and service, we should live lives of sacrifice and service.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. – Philippians 2:3-4
Paul tells us to adopt the attitude of Jesus, who lived a life defined by service and sacrifice. It’s great that we can see the heart of God in Han, Spock and Dobby, but we have the greatest example in Jesus Christ himself. He sacrificed everything in order to serve our needs and he calls us to do the same for the world around us.
I love that we can see God’s heart in our favorite nerdclinations. God’s truth can permeate everything, including stories about Jedi and wizards. It’s great to be moved by those stories, but it’s even better to be moved to action by those stories.
Han was a scoundrel, Spock was emotionally distant and Dobby was a house elf. If they can serve and sacrifice then so can we.
In what other stories have you seen God’s heart of service and sacrifice?
A couple of REALLY GOOD examples from the series Babylon 5: the episdoes “Comes the Inquisitor” and “Passing Thru Gesthemene”.
From Comes the Inquisitor, a quote that still sticks with me:
“No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother. Not for millions, not for glory, not for fame–for one person, in the dark, where no one will ever know or see. I have been in service to the Vorlons for centuries, waiting for you: Diogenes and his lamp looking for an honest man willing to die for all the wrong reasons.”
I never got fully into “Babylon 5”. It is interesting to see, though, that even characters in far off places of the galaxy are quoting scripture. Thanks for the comment!