Mentoring Our Boys –

Star Wars - Luke Skywalker - Darth Vader.

We all know the story. And I’m sure we’re all familiar with the haunting sound of Darth Vader’s labored breathing. The villain of Star Wars requires that ominous mask as a sort-of life-support device. Somehow that apparatus affects his breathing. Oh how that sound bite has been replayed: “Luuuke,” … *inhale* … ”I am your faaatherrr,” … *exhale*.

But how about the history of this man? The story of his turn to evil was eventually revealed in another episode – Star Wars Episode II, Attack of the Clones. Young Anakin Skywalker is discovered as having the natural skills and talents of the Jedi Knight. He is recruited as an apprentice under the mentorship of an experienced Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The young man learns the skills of the Jedi quickly and occasionally displays an aptitude that surpasses his mentor. As is not uncommon with extremely talented young men, Anakin gets cocky. He begins to resent his status as a protégé.

If you’re familiar with the story, you may remember this scene. Anakin is left alone to protect the beautiful Senator Padme’ Amidala. She offers him a compliment:

Padme’: You’ve grown up.

Anakin: Master Obi-Wan manages not to see it.
Don’t get me wrong. Obi Wan is a great master. As wise as Master Yoda. As powerful as Master Windu.

I am truly thankful to be his apprentice. In some ways, a lot of ways, I’m really ahead of him. I’m ready for the trials. But he feels that I’m too unpredictable! HE WON’T LET ME MOVE ON!

Padme’: That must be frustrating.

Anakin: It’s worse! He’s overly critical. He never
listens. He, he doesn’t understand. IT’S NOT FAIR!

Padme’: All mentors have a way of seeing more of
our faults than we would like. It’s the only way we grow.

Anakin: I know.

You can see the attitude of Anakin’s heart. And if you watch the teenage boys today, you’ll see that this same outlook is prevalent. The name we use for this phenomenon, teen rebellion, has even lost its sting. We’ve come to expect, accept, and even ignore this in our teenagers, especially our sons. And when allowed to progress to an extreme, we see outbursts like the one at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Similarly, this mind-set ultimately drags our Star Wars movie character to the “Dark Side.”

“MY YOUNG PADAWAN”

I won’t try to portray “The Force” in Star Wars as analogous with our omnipotent God and the “Dark Side” as Satan. The storyline fails to illustrate the grace given us through the sacrifice of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I’m drawing analogy only from the relationship of Jedi and padawan, mentor and protégé, knight and squire. I’m using the rebellious nature of Anakin Skywalker as an illustration of our son’s rebellious nature.

Notice, however, there is more that makes this analogy so pertinent with today’s challenges for fathers of growing and maturing boys. There is an interesting commonality with Anakin, the apprentice, and today’s male youth. Their egos are being fed by Satan and the world just as they discover a natural desire for independence. They realize they can make their own decisions and choices; they have their own ideas and values. Even if their values are in line with their father’s teachings, they want to take ownership of them.

Two more scenes in this movie illustrate contemporary trends among our teen boys. First, the leader of the evil forces, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, implores Anakin. He does it just as Satan and today’s culture do with our own boys:

“You don’t need guidance, Anakin. In time, you will learn to trust your feelings. Then you will be invincible.”

How’s that for a secular world-view – the typical feel good, relativism of today’s culture?

And the Jedi masters recognize Anakin’s response to these lies:

Obi Wan: He has much to learn, master. His
abilities have made him, well, arrogant.

Yoda: Yes, yes. A flaw more and more common
among Jedi. Hmm. Too sure of them selves, they are.

Posted on October 2nd, 2008 by Jeff Purkiss
Filed under: Cultural Issues, Fathering/Mentoring, Rebellious Teens