I guess it's time you got to know me a little bit…..
I was proudly born and raised in Harrison, Arkansas. Raised in church around wonderful God-fearing people. Had a loving family that taught me wonderful lessons in respect and hard work. If I think about it, I would have to say that the rest of the world would view us to have much in common with the Hobbits of the Shire.
My Arkansas Shire was beautiful to me. Full of pastures and hills, small woods, wild life, cows and gardens. Most of the people tend to be on the shorter, rounder, hairier side. We love food and getting together with family and friends, and our ale of choice is sweet tea by the gallon. Simple living and staying close to family is a staple. To step outside the norm, gets you peculiar looks and sideways glances. It was a wonderful life, and I consider it a kindness of God that I was raised where and how I was. I have a deep respect for all the wonderful Hobbits that poured into my life and formed my stable foundation.
With that said, the part I seem to be playing in this story is that of either Bilbo or Frodo Baggins. I have been chosen to go on an adventure that I seem ill fitted for. As I've said before, I'm quite comfortable with my life and in ways like the stability of my routine, but deep in my heart, I have always longed for more. These longings have always been treated with tolerance by those around; youthful indiscretions you know. But once life sets in, these things will fade. Truth be told, they almost did.
There is nothing wrong with the life I've been leading. Nothing at all. I go to work. I help as many as I can. I give of myself to others. I pay my bills. I recycle. I am involved at church and I am a fiercely devoted friend. I honor God with my life to the best of my ability. There is nothing wrong with my life…but there has always been this longing for more.
I stand now at a fork in the road. I can choose the well trodden path. I can continue my life the way it is now and I have no doubt in my mind that God would bless it and bless me. I would be happy, and fulfill all the expectations placed on a Hobbit to fulfill. OR, I can choose the path that looks scary, hard, and possible dangerous. I can choose the adventure where God could use me to do things I never dreamed possible. I can choose stability (or what I deem is stability) or I can choose to let go and fully trust God despite my fears.
So despite the grumbling and the mumbling of the precious Shirefolk, I choose the adventure. I choose to stop trying to take care of myself, and allow God to take care of me. I choose this, because I feel I was created to do so.
So my question to you is who are you in this story? Are you a Hobbit who thinks me peculiar because I choose to do something I seem so ill fitted for? Are you a companion? Maybe you will be my Samwise and carry me when I loose heart. Will you join my adventure as the dwarves did or immerse yourself in the experience as one of the Fellowship? Will you stand with me and believe that God can make the impossible a reality? I ask you again, why are you here? Why are you reading this blog at this time? It's not simply to keep an eye on me or satisfy your curiosity. Whether you believe it or not, there is a purpose to you being here with me right now. I challenge you to find this reason. Start to question what is your role, what part are you playing in this story.
