As controversial as the final trilogy of the mainline Star Wars movies were (The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker), one moment speaks to me above the otherwise predictable storylines. In this particular scene of The Last Jedi, a despondent Luke Skywalker begins to burn an ancient tree containing the remaining literature of the Jedi Way. As he sees the flames build, he has a change of heart when he considers the weight of the value, history, and—perhaps—power to be lost forever. Luke rushes in to save the books but is repelled. His woes deepen until his old Master, Yoda, appears as a Force Ghost and accelerates the destruction of the tree and books by conjuring an additional lightning strike. Yoda knows something that Luke is struggling with: the Force does not depend on the relics of the past.

This scene is analogous to our God; He is not dependent on the existence of His word, but the word exists to serve Him and His purpose. The same could be said for every church building, every ministry, every evangelist, minister, pastor, or missionary. If everything in this world is destroyed by moths or rust (Matthew 6:19), then an omnipotent God exists above everything that bears His name.

We can be understandably disappointed when a church closes, a pastor leaves the profession, or a missionary dies. We can wonder how God would allow His glory to be marked by the perceived failure. However, as Master Yoda knows of the Force, the power of God is not sourced, contained, or altered by the presence—or disappearance—of any of these temporary artifacts or people.

I’m reminded of this while reading Psalm 74. The writer is lamenting the Babylonians’ destruction of Jerusalem, specifically the Temple. Verse 7 mourns, “They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.” (NIV) The writer cannot understand how God would allow such a travesty to His glory. Verse 9 declares the uncertainty, “We are given no miraculous signs; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.” From Man’s perspective, the enemies of God have won the day, and the writer implores God to remember His people and reaffirm His name.

But, who are “God’s people”? In Man’s limited understanding, they thought God’s people were descendants of Abraham or converted Gentiles. Yet, God could raise the sons of Abraham from stone (Matthew 3). Even in the Bible, we see people despair over losing what they limit God to be while in ignorance of His unfathomable strength and power.

God, though, does not care for dwelling places; He cares only for the hearts of His children. When the Israelites set up false idols at the base of Mount Sinai, God was ready and willing to set Himself up a new people, inviting Moses to plead and intervene on their behalf. When David wanted to move Israel’s central worship from the Tabernacle to a permanent temple, God never wanted a temple for Himself. (1 Chronicles 17) God is omnipresent (Psalm 139) and is not bound by any building, person, or movement in His name, which can become forms of idols if cherished too much. Instead, God calls us to a heart change. He calls us to live in His word and His will for our entire lives, not only on Sundays or in specific buildings. If He is only our master for 2 hours a week, then He is not our master at all.

Yet, our culture attempts to box God into locations and organizations. Shallow faiths come with their Sunday-best clothes to campus after a Saturday of wearing lustful swimsuits on the beach. Western traditions attend church on Sunday with an eye on the clock to beat the lunchtime buffet rush. We put forth our best impressions on Sunday mornings and resort to our worst or most brash every other day. Indeed, we live spiritually segregated lives, which are often encouraged by our overemphasis on the temporal.

Like Yoda, God will let our idols burn, rust, and fall apart if that helps us turn from them and repent of our selfishness—He may even burn them down Himself. Though His name is holy, He will not protect its earthly reputation at the cost of our eternal salvation because Man’s perception of Him does not impute His holiness; God is the source of all holiness. As God works good in all things (Romans 8:28), He can certainly work in the perceived desecration of His own name if it draws the prodigal child home.

Christians should support and encourage all those who bless the name of the Lord but should do so with an open hand. If we hold our organizations, buildings, or brands too tightly, we let them supplant God’s rightful priority in our hearts. 

So, do failed ministers and ministries infringe on God’s will? No. The Son of God did not despise the cross (Hebrews 12:2). God did not mourn the destruction of His (multiple) temples. God is willing to sacrifice His name, His body, and His Son for our salvation. He does not reside in any particular building, mission, or human. Instead, He inhabits the praises of all His people (Psalm 22:3), wherever they may be. Let us not rally around the brand of our church. Let us not depend on the notoriety of our leaders. Let us, instead, praise the Lord with our whole heart; in that, He will truly be satisfied and glorified.

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