Star Wars: Skeleton Crew: What adventure are you being called to?

As Star Wars: Skeleton Crew continues, Sam invites us to explore God’s purpose for our lives.

In the opening episode of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, a teacher declares to a group of students: ‘We all have a place in the Great Work.’ The series, which is available on Disney+, follows the adventures of four children who discover a lost starship. It takes them away from their home world of At Attin, as they pursue a quest that requires trust, friendship and faith in order to return to a world that is lost and forgotten across the galaxy. Much like our own journeys in real life, they are searching for their belonging in the world, which often leaves them feeling lost.

Wim and his friends are reaching an age where they make choices about their future and what role they are going to play in society. What the teacher says to the students reminded me of Psalm 57:2: ‘I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfils his purpose for me’ (English Standard Version). We all have a calling and purpose in the great work of God.

The idea of purpose and belonging runs deeply through Skeleton Crew. It explores how purpose is not something for society to inflict upon us. In Wim’s case, he has a calling and desire to explore the galaxy on an adventure. This is seen when he asks: ‘Don’t you ever want to do anything exciting?’ Wim does not wish to settle into the role his life on At Attin has set its course on.

Purpose and belonging interweave into our journeys of faith too. As Christians, we trust God to reveal his purpose in our lives, listening to his calling. Watching Skeleton Crew, I found a strong connection to the stories of the disciples, especially Matthew, who was once a tax collector (see Matthew 9:9–13).

Matthew’s role had great importance in society despite the bad reputation laid upon the business of collecting tax. He dropped his job and life in the world in an instant to respond to Jesus’ calling for excitement and adventure to walk with him.

We are all encouraged to be more like Matthew in some way within our faith journeys: we should ‘not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind’ (Romans 12:2). Jesus’ calling of adventure when we walk with him should be listened to and put as our highest priority above our earthly duties that often tie us and draw us further from God. Don’t you, like Matthew, want to do something exciting?

Reflect and respond

• What is God’s calling on your life?
• What excitement have you experienced in your faith journey?
• Read Matthew 9:9–13. How quickly do you get up and follow God’s call?
• Find out more about vocation and calling.