“‘Then the prophecies of the old songs have turned out to be true …!’ said Bilbo. ‘Of course,’ said Gandalf. ‘…You don’t really suppose, do you that all of your adventures and escapes were managed by pure luck, just for your sole benefit?'” J.R.R. Tolkien in The Hobbit
I know I’ve written about The Hobbit before. But this weekend I watched the first part of “The Hobbit,” the movie! It was fantastic! Tolkien’s book, The Hobbit is one of my all time favorite books. I love the story of the very normal Bilbo Baggins, living his very happy, quiet life in his very comfy ‘hobbit hole’ being called to “Go adventuring.” At first, he didn’t want to go. He liked having his full pantry and enjoying his cup of tea at a certain time of day. Everything neat, tidy and predictable. The journey was certain to messy and uncertain and downright terrifying at times!
I believe God calls each of us to a great adventure. And on our way, we are joined by other ‘adventurers’ experiencing the bigger calling of life. I kept the vision of Bilbo Baggins in my head while I was going through my divorce. Often, we want to stay in our safe, familiar, comfortable little Hobbit hole. The world with it’s possibilities is often frightening and full of ugly, real, dangerous dragons to face. But you know what? I firmly believe we are in this great battle for goodness … for God’s purposes.
We are in the middle a great cosmic story, and we are called to do our small, but vital, part. When I was married I knew what my part was, and I did that part well. I am still mothering and grandmothering and working … but now, I am being called to a different role, too. Not because I didn’t do my last job well, but because God used that and now he is using me for something else. He brought me through that for his bigger story. He doesn’t cause the catastrophes and pain and struggles of life, but he allows them and uses them and helps us through them and fulfills his eternal purposes through us. Isn’t that breathtaking and mind-boggling? Every single day, I am part of the bigger picture of God’s plan.
How am I going to answer that call, like the call to Bilbo Baggins, to “Go adventuring” with God? What is he calling me to do now? What is he calling you to do?
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
