dark side

AHHHHHH I just got to see The Revenge of the Sith in THEATER!!!!

At first I regretted not watching four, five, six, one and two beforehand. I wanted to catch up to get the full effect. But it turned out to be a unique experience that I don’t regret.. Despite me having to ask my friend questions every 10 minutes :)

You see, when you forget everything, it’s kind of like you’re watching it for the first time again - except this time with surround sound and an enthusiastic crowd that isn’t doing you a favor by sitting through the whole movie!

I have seen this movie countless times while gowing up. It was a staple in the house. But this time truly was a first time experience for me.

Not bc of the surround sound and fake friends…

but because there was a character I didn’t remember.

To start, we meet this loyal, dependable and can’t leave out - hot as heck - hero in training who has obviously captured his master’s heart (and all of ours let’s be honest).

This hunk, Anakin Skywalker, is obviously capable of more than most padawans his age, let alone any master Jedi. And despite his superiority in strength, agility, ability to stay conscious (cough Obi Won), and most importantly his connection to The Force, ANDDDD his knowledge of his superiority, he still respectfully submits to his master and holds him dear.

A promising start to what seems to be a victorious path for young Anakin, the Jedi Council and all the Republic.

Until.. we’re introduced to his two passionate lovers: Padme and Power.

Ah the whirlwind.

His lust for these passions become his points of weakness, and leave him vulnerable…

That’s when I met another, very unexpected character:

Me.

Anakin’s struggle with truth and pride; his heart's desires vs greater good..

His mind getting clouded by the fear of losing what is most dear to him, making him susceptible to twisted truths. His weaknesses being used against him…

They’re all too familiar with my own life’s tug of war.

I do believe he was the chosen one, and I believe Padme’s last words after he journeys to the dark side,

“There’s still good in him…”

I believe Anakin is me. He’s you.

And that we’re chosen and there is good in us.

But I also believe that in each of us, at every moment during this human existence, there is a choice to either submit and respectfully follow the light, or surrender and succumb to the dark side.

Just as Palpatine knew just what to say and knew Anakin’s kryptonite, we also have a sith lord whispering in our ears.

It’s easy to watch the screen from a comfortable seat and frustratingly chant,

“No Anakin, don’t do it! Don’t do it!!” and feel like it’s such an easy choice!

Which makes it harder to admit that I too have an invisible audience chanting for me. Cheering me on and rooting for my victory.

But like this young, powerful chosen one, I still have a choice. Every moment, of every day.

Am I going to choose what I want most? …Or what I want most?

My spirit and my flesh.

My wise heart and my young heart.

Me vs me.

I would love to end this thought with a positive uplifting, hopeful conclusion. And in Christ, there is one.

But there is also a truth that was shown to me tonight that inspired this text in the first place.

I believe we are all just one passionate, selfish desire away from becoming a Darth Vador.

Creating a soul-eating empire that is larger than we can comprehend.

I believe that eventually, after one of those moments of choices, there is a point of no return.

And the mask of the person we became, has fused into our skin and can never be taken off.

That at some point we assume an identity that for all eternity is our new name, and our new home.