contributed by guest author, Beau Boutwell
If you've read my blog posts before, you know that there's a video clip involved; and since the pastor is away on vacation at the moment, I thought that I'd sneak in a clip from one of his favorite books to help my point. That being said, take a moment to look over this clip:
I realize the gravity of what I've done for some of you. I've lost all of your attention as now you can't wait to find your extended editions on Blu-Ray and see if Frodo does indeed make it to Mordor to dispose of the "One Ring." And if that describes you, I give you a free pass to stop reading now, find your films, and then return, henceforth, after the battle for Middle-earth has ceased its tireless toil.
Ooh, pardon me. I was channeling my inner-Gandalf for a moment...
Anyway...
I chose this clip because of one moment in particular, and that moment is when Frodo looks around at the his friends and fellow sentients of Middle-earth and decides that he has the strength to carry the ring to Mordor. He stands from his chair, a bit sheepishly, at first, but with renewed boldness a moment later, declaring that, "I will take the ring to Mordor... though... I do not know the way."
To we viewers, this is just the beginning of the second phase of an epic tale, but I'd like to, if we could for a moment, apply this moment to our lives.
No, we don't live in a mystical land with Hobbits and Elves and Goblins and Orcs, but we do live in a world rife with greed, vanity, spite, and malice. In the story, Frodo, unable to bear seeing world around him crash and crumble into disarray and chaos, takes up the call to carry the ring to see to its destruction. He, along with Gandalf, realize that the journey may cost him his life, but it's a journey worth taking.
Alright, so now that we've set up this moment, let's explore it.
Ooh, pardon me. I was channeling my inner-Gandalf for a moment...
Anyway...
I chose this clip because of one moment in particular, and that moment is when Frodo looks around at the his friends and fellow sentients of Middle-earth and decides that he has the strength to carry the ring to Mordor. He stands from his chair, a bit sheepishly, at first, but with renewed boldness a moment later, declaring that, "I will take the ring to Mordor... though... I do not know the way."
To we viewers, this is just the beginning of the second phase of an epic tale, but I'd like to, if we could for a moment, apply this moment to our lives.
No, we don't live in a mystical land with Hobbits and Elves and Goblins and Orcs, but we do live in a world rife with greed, vanity, spite, and malice. In the story, Frodo, unable to bear seeing world around him crash and crumble into disarray and chaos, takes up the call to carry the ring to see to its destruction. He, along with Gandalf, realize that the journey may cost him his life, but it's a journey worth taking.
Alright, so now that we've set up this moment, let's explore it.
I love this quote.. and this movie... because it has such an amazing connection to our lives as faithful followers of Jesus the Christ. Consider your daily routine. If it's anything like mine, it looks something like this:
Wake up - shower - get dressed - tea/coffee - check messages - kids up and ready - breakfast for everyone - kids to school/pre-school/daycare - work - lunch - work - home - dinner - chores - check messages - kids in bed - Netflix/Hulu/Facebook/Pinterest/etc - bed
Oh, and how great that bed feels after a long day. Wait... hold the phone... where were my moments with God in all of that? Oh... yeah... there weren't any.
I will never understand how the things that are most trivial in my time here on earth, seem to demand the most of my time and attention. The things that have the most eternal impact, I struggle to even make time for in my day.
Why? Why is that?
All I can think, is that it's a matter of perspective. At some point, in each and every one of our lives, we lay down our personal values, the things that matter most to us. It took me a while to realize that I would never be a wealthy man unless God just blessed me in that way. I don't love money enough nor what it brings me. I also realized that I will never be an athlete unless God blesses me in that way. So those things, rather than focus on them, I set on the back-burner of my life.
I sat back and asked myself, "What will be important to me when my life draws to a close?"
That answer was much clearer than I cared to admit. When it's all said and done, isn't it really about your relationship with Jesus the Christ? When you breathe your last breath, does anything else really matter?
I don't mean to be callous toward our friends and families, but if we really break it down, am I wrong about this?
How is it that so many of us can make the time to watch Game of Thrones... but can't find ten minutes to read our daily devotional?
How is it that so many of us can cough up $3.75 each day for a non-fat caramel macchiato, but can't find $20 to put in the offering?
How is it that so many of us can lose ourselves in "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston when driving down the road, but can't find our voice for "Great Are You Lord" on Sunday mornings?
I, for one, won't let time pass me by any longer without grabbing hold of it and making a difference in the world out there, rather than the world in here.
I, like Frodo, despite the possible dangers and hardships, will choose to take the ring into the land of the enemy. I will choose the harder path. I will live life unafraid of what the world thinks because the only One worthy of judging me is my Father in Heaven.
Who's with me? Shirk your cloak of insecurity and distraction and instead clad yourselves in the armor of righteousness and the tunic of purpose. Don't stand in the shadows of life, live life with reckless abandon for God. Make a dent in the darkness!
Much love
Wake up - shower - get dressed - tea/coffee - check messages - kids up and ready - breakfast for everyone - kids to school/pre-school/daycare - work - lunch - work - home - dinner - chores - check messages - kids in bed - Netflix/Hulu/Facebook/Pinterest/etc - bed
Oh, and how great that bed feels after a long day. Wait... hold the phone... where were my moments with God in all of that? Oh... yeah... there weren't any.
I will never understand how the things that are most trivial in my time here on earth, seem to demand the most of my time and attention. The things that have the most eternal impact, I struggle to even make time for in my day.
Why? Why is that?
All I can think, is that it's a matter of perspective. At some point, in each and every one of our lives, we lay down our personal values, the things that matter most to us. It took me a while to realize that I would never be a wealthy man unless God just blessed me in that way. I don't love money enough nor what it brings me. I also realized that I will never be an athlete unless God blesses me in that way. So those things, rather than focus on them, I set on the back-burner of my life.
I sat back and asked myself, "What will be important to me when my life draws to a close?"
That answer was much clearer than I cared to admit. When it's all said and done, isn't it really about your relationship with Jesus the Christ? When you breathe your last breath, does anything else really matter?
I don't mean to be callous toward our friends and families, but if we really break it down, am I wrong about this?
How is it that so many of us can make the time to watch Game of Thrones... but can't find ten minutes to read our daily devotional?
How is it that so many of us can cough up $3.75 each day for a non-fat caramel macchiato, but can't find $20 to put in the offering?
How is it that so many of us can lose ourselves in "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston when driving down the road, but can't find our voice for "Great Are You Lord" on Sunday mornings?
I, for one, won't let time pass me by any longer without grabbing hold of it and making a difference in the world out there, rather than the world in here.
I, like Frodo, despite the possible dangers and hardships, will choose to take the ring into the land of the enemy. I will choose the harder path. I will live life unafraid of what the world thinks because the only One worthy of judging me is my Father in Heaven.
Who's with me? Shirk your cloak of insecurity and distraction and instead clad yourselves in the armor of righteousness and the tunic of purpose. Don't stand in the shadows of life, live life with reckless abandon for God. Make a dent in the darkness!
Much love
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