The Lord of the Rings is probably my favorite story I've ever heard. There's just so much to love! One of the things that I find most intriguing is the way the characters relate to us. For being set in a land of elves, dwarves and magic I can relate to it quite easily. There are characters that I see myself in and in whom I wish I could see more of myself. There are themes that resonate in my life and in my thoughts and there are questions that get raised by this strong mythology that I find myself forced to answer.
The question that I want to start to talk about in this post is simply the idea of kingship. Throughout the story of Lord of the Rings there is an understanding that nothing will be set right until a king is on the throne of Gondor. There's an idea that evil will continue to triumph until the true king can put things right. I identify with this. Almost daily I look at my life and the world around me and realize that the evil I see in the world will continue until the day that the true King is on His throne. This may sound cheesy, and as though I'm dumbing down the problems that the world faces. But, humanity knows of its brokenness, and we are constantly trying to fix it. We try to combat evil in our own ways, but in our hearts we know that ,by ourselves, we are powerless against the corruption in our world. It is only when the true King sits on the throne that the tide of evil will be stemmed. Just as the evil of Sauron can not be stopped until Aragorn takes his place as king and rallies the armies of Gondor. There is an imminent fight, and they need a leader. They need a king.
Boromir is a true son of Gondor. He's a son of the steward of Gondor, He's brave and strong. Even he is defenseless against the onslaught of evil that he faces. He cannot defend the city that he loves. He is helpless in this. He tries to fight evil in his own way, by trying to force Frodo to give him the ring of power. He sees this evil object as a means to save his city and to be the hero. He succumbs to the evil that is the one ring. He becomes the evil for a moment. Boromir starts with the best of intentions, but midway through the struggle he succumbs. He is powerless against this evil.
For so long I wanted to look in the mirror and see Aragorn, someone who rises above his own weakness and doubts. Someone who is powerful, steadfast, wise, fair and unflinching in the face of evil. In the hubris of my younger days I thought I could see that! But, the older I get the more I realize that I'm just like Boromir. I may have one or two good qualities, but I'm weak, and vulnerable to deceit. Though I start out with the best of intentions, I inevitable lose sight of what I'm supposed to be. For years I've set out to rid my world of evil. I've combated it every way I could think of. But I am utterly powerless against the evil that besets my world. I can not save my city, just as Boromir could not save his. There have been times where my pure intentions become muddled, and they are no longer beneficial to my world or those around me.
The way that Boromir sought to protect his city and combat evil, was in fact a perpetuation of evil.
How often do we lose track of our motives and start to do things we normally wouldn't do because we see it as a means to an end? Are we combating evil? Or are we ,in actuality, adding to it? Do we recognize that the king is the only one who can truly defeat evil?
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
Courage, Dear Heart
"Courage, Dear Heart" Aslan spoke these words to a young Lucy Pevensie as she was on an adventure in the land of Narnia, afraid of what was coming her way. Oh how I feel like Lucy sometimes. A frightened child needing comfort. Needing to be reassured that I'm on the right path. That I'm not alone. Needing to be spurred on to action. Needing to know that I'm not defeated.
How does one thrive in a world intent on beating us down? How can you have courage when everything in you begs you to fear? Courage seems like a laughable idea when you think about everything that is bent on our destruction. When it seems the world is against you and you've lost your way. When it seems you're on your own against the onslaught of an innumerable army, How does one have courage? This is the question I have been asking myself for a long time. Where does defeat lie and how close am I to falling into its trap? What has fear done to my heart and mind? Has it paralyzed me? Am I moving forward? Do I fear that I'm not moving forward? Do I fear that I've been forgotten? These thoughts cloud my mind and judgement.
The thing I've always loved about Aslan is the way He so understands Lucy. He understands her willingness, but also understands her weakness. Though she may shine with courage one minute she is overcome with timidity and fear. He sees her in these moments and whispers words to her that are simple yet so powerful. "Courage, Dear Heart". The comfort flows from such a simple statement.
In the book of Joshua we meet, you guessed it, Joshua! He is a man of courage and steely resolve. But God even recognized in him the propensity for timidity.
Just as Aslan did for Lucy, so God did for Joshua. Though the words are different the mentality is the same. God promised Joshua that he would not be alone, and that He would be with him.
What is the antithesis of courage? If courage is what spurs us on to action, fear is what binds us to passivity. As we read the Bible we find that there are a few commands that are repeated. But, one of the most prevalent is "Fear not". Why is it so imperative that we fear not? Why does God mention this so many times and why do we see it as such a prevalent theme through all of scripture?
What does fear do to trust? What are we really saying when we are fearful? What are we saying about our belief in the goodness of God when we are overcome with fear? In 1 Timothy we are told that we are given a spirit of power, love and self-control not of fear. If we are truly living in the new life of Christ which is promised to us then fear has no place in our hearts because they are wholly engaged in the power, love and self-control given to us by the new life of Christ. Our trust in God is what keeps fear at bay. His mere presence makes fear disappear.
Some of the last words Jesus says to His followers are a command. "Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful". This is important guys. If God dispells fear then why do we not seek Him more? Do we like being afraid? Fear is easy. Its our natural state. We're fearful of our future. We worry about money, about jobs, about relationships, We are fearful.
Courage is hard. Its a challenge to "fear not". Courage is a constant choice. It is a conscious state of being. We must decide what we're going to do. Are we going to fear or are we going to trust? Will we fear our futures and the unknown? Will we trust that God is good to us?
"Courage, Dear heart".
How does one thrive in a world intent on beating us down? How can you have courage when everything in you begs you to fear? Courage seems like a laughable idea when you think about everything that is bent on our destruction. When it seems the world is against you and you've lost your way. When it seems you're on your own against the onslaught of an innumerable army, How does one have courage? This is the question I have been asking myself for a long time. Where does defeat lie and how close am I to falling into its trap? What has fear done to my heart and mind? Has it paralyzed me? Am I moving forward? Do I fear that I'm not moving forward? Do I fear that I've been forgotten? These thoughts cloud my mind and judgement.
The thing I've always loved about Aslan is the way He so understands Lucy. He understands her willingness, but also understands her weakness. Though she may shine with courage one minute she is overcome with timidity and fear. He sees her in these moments and whispers words to her that are simple yet so powerful. "Courage, Dear Heart". The comfort flows from such a simple statement.
In the book of Joshua we meet, you guessed it, Joshua! He is a man of courage and steely resolve. But God even recognized in him the propensity for timidity.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
What is the antithesis of courage? If courage is what spurs us on to action, fear is what binds us to passivity. As we read the Bible we find that there are a few commands that are repeated. But, one of the most prevalent is "Fear not". Why is it so imperative that we fear not? Why does God mention this so many times and why do we see it as such a prevalent theme through all of scripture?
What does fear do to trust? What are we really saying when we are fearful? What are we saying about our belief in the goodness of God when we are overcome with fear? In 1 Timothy we are told that we are given a spirit of power, love and self-control not of fear. If we are truly living in the new life of Christ which is promised to us then fear has no place in our hearts because they are wholly engaged in the power, love and self-control given to us by the new life of Christ. Our trust in God is what keeps fear at bay. His mere presence makes fear disappear.
Some of the last words Jesus says to His followers are a command. "Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful". This is important guys. If God dispells fear then why do we not seek Him more? Do we like being afraid? Fear is easy. Its our natural state. We're fearful of our future. We worry about money, about jobs, about relationships, We are fearful.
Courage is hard. Its a challenge to "fear not". Courage is a constant choice. It is a conscious state of being. We must decide what we're going to do. Are we going to fear or are we going to trust? Will we fear our futures and the unknown? Will we trust that God is good to us?
"Courage, Dear heart".
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