I’m reading the Hobbit (again). There’s just something about the story of little Bilbo Baggins being trucked across Middle-Earth on a journey that he doesn’t really want be on that fascinates me. One day this little fella is enjoying a beautiful shire day when Gandalf the Wizard shows up and practically ruins little Bilbo’s life. First it’s a quick meal, then he’s bombarded with 12 dwarves, then he finds himself riding a pony, encountering Trolls, Goblins and eventually a Dragon. The entire time he’s on this journey he has these moments where he “wishes he were back home having tea and a smoke on his pipe”. This is his wish, but it’s just not to be.
Bilbo is a reluctant hero. He didn’t really want to go on the journey, but something compelled him. See when push came to shove, Bilbo knew that there was something more to life then just sitting in his little hobbit hole. He would have lived comfortably but he would never have experienced the life that even Gandalf saw was simmering just underneath the surface. Bilbo may have longed for his chair, but he flourished as the little Burglar to the dwarves.
I think I’m a lot like Bilbo in that there are times when I really wish it would just be a little easier – a little more peaceful. Being a people that are captivated with God’s Vision for a renewed world can be exhausting. It can be like walking through dark caves, stubbing your toes on underground roots. Following the Vision that is the person and life of Jesus is epic – it’s an adventure that’s surely Tolkien-esque.
Think about it for just a second, if we have our “eyes wide-opened” to the needs of the world, to the things that God’s heart breaks for, we enter into a middle-earth that is full of some pretty wretched and exhausting things. Broken relationships, addictions, hurts and pains that are devastating, promises broken, fear, instability and so much are as close as the turn of our neck or even the look into a mirror.
In Bilbo and the Dwarves quest the savior figure, Gandalf, leaves them to fight on their own – to make their way toward the Lonely Mountain. The epic we find ourselves can feel that way every now and then as well – it can feel like our savior has left us when all we see is the heaviness of the forrest around us. However, we have a promise that Bilbo never did – our Savior NEVER leaves us. Jesus wouldn’t – couldn’t leave us if he wanted to! That’s how devoted God is to us! Jesus looks at us in our hurt and huddles next to us, holding us if only we’re still enough to feel that embrace.
That’s also how devoted He is to those around us who haven’t found him yet. See in order to reach them, He can’t leave us – He’s counting on ME and YOU to be His hands, His Feet, His Heart to all the pain that is around us.
The Apostle Paul shared that it was in his weakness that God’s Strength was made perfect. I take it to mean that when I’m feeling like Bilbo, wishing for an easy chair and a cup of tea and feeling so very weak, that’s when God’s strength shines through. The quest of Christ-likeness isn’t an easy one – if it were the adventure would be pretty boring. No, it’s difficult at times – it can feel pretty exhausting and lonely. But it’s also the life that lives within each and every follower of Jesus – a Spirit filled adventure through the mountains, mines, forests and more that leads us to a treasure beyond comprehension. The treasure is unfettered connection to a God so full of love that the no evil can overcome it.
So, when I’m tired and wishing for my little hobbit hole, I can remember that Jesus stands with me. It’s when I can rest on the promise that his grace IS sufficient for all my needs – even when I’m wishing for my chair and a cup of tea.