Gandolf: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.
There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.
Bilbo was meant to find the ring. In which case you also were meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.
Have you ever felt like Frodo? You've been dealt a hand of circumstances, and you'd rather fold than play the game.
I believe we all enter this cave of Moria at least once in our lives. Sometime it's God's own words that meet us in that dark place; sometimes they come through a friend.
We all need to be reminded. Our sovereign God has a purpose for the mission He's given you. There is a reason you are here at this time in history, in the country you are living, in the family you were born into, in the state of health or sickness with which you live.
Unlike Frodo, however, you don't depend on a wizard who can be hindered or killed nor a creature, once like yourself, who now is both your guide and threat. No. You have a High Priest that is risen and sitting at the right hand of Yahweh of Hosts interceding for you, if you belong to Him. If you are His child, you have His Spirit inside of you directing you on the path that is good to take and pleading with the Father for all your needs (needs of which you yourself may not be aware).
This doesn't mean the path is any easier than the path Tolkien imagined for Frodo. It doesn't mean you won't have friends desert you, disappoint you, try to discourage you. It doesn't mean you won't lose your life or the life of one you hold dear.
It does mean, you will never walk alone. And everything that happens to you is in the control of your Creator, who has a bigger plan than just for your life or mine, but who loves us more than we can comprehend.
The world may look dark. We may see grief and defeat all around us, and may wish to return to "the good old days" of our imagined world. That is not for us to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.
Be faithful to the mission in which God had you embark. He is the Author of the story, so it will end well.
Kate, I have always liked that quote from LOTR; it seemed to have so much spiritual application. Your post makes excellent use of those words. It is wonderful to know that we don't have to defeat evil ourselves, but Christ has already fought and won our battle. The victory is complete and our hope is sure so that we have only to "run with endurance the race that is set before us."
ReplyDeleteCan you tell what I had watched again this weekend, Charae? ;-)
ReplyDeleteExactly! :-) In my family we do probably a once a year journey through Middle Earth. This year we took Mommy, Kayleen, and Cosette on it for the first time. It's just one of those necessary trips in life. :-D
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