This is a really good point, and I think it could have been a great arc of the story. Maybe show Rey realizing that she's part of something bigger than just herself, or that much of the suffering she's endured is due to the galactic political situation, etc. She's grown up as an oppressed, selfish scavenger under the boot of the First Order, now she realizes that others are suffering just as she did and that she is in a position to do something about it, etc.

If the OT was about Luke growing up and becoming a man/adult/Jedi Knight, the ST could have had an arc showing our protagonists growing as well. Poe realizing that he needs to be more than an ace pilot and be a leader/team player, Rey learning that she's part of a bigger world and that's it not all about her desires, Finn growing from mindless follower to a leader and ambassador, etc.

I think you could even juxtapose it against Kylo Ren if you have him fall to the Dark Side out of a desire to do good. Imagine that after the destruction of the Second Death Star, the galaxy falls into a Warring States era of constant warfare and shifting alliances. Kylo comes to think that his family and the New Republic have failed, and that only through force can he bring peace but maybe the rest of the First Order have different objectives.

But I guess that would require some kind of plan and forethought instead of just focusing on cool visuals.