Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Monday, November 7, 2005
The stories of our life
"It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really matter, full of darkness & danger they were. Sometimes you didn't want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was, when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it'll shine out the clearer. Those are the stories that stayed with you. They meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I now know, folks in those stories had lots of chances to turn back, but they didn't. They kept going because they were holding onto something."
"What are we holding onto, Sam?"
"There's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it's worth fighting for."
Lord of the Ring, The Two Towers. Conversation between Samwise & Frodo
What if we were to view our life as a storybook - with a beginning, middle & end. With characters & plots & settings; conflict & loss & drama; humor & adventure & meaning. We don't know how our story will end. We can't always make sense of the storyline, of the characters in & out of our life. But there are themes if we study our story.
When we're in darkness. When we're exhausted from a battle of depression or fear. When we've been pierced by a sword of loss or shame and we feel like we can't go on, there is hope. This too shall pass. You can turn a new page. You can begin a new chapter.
There are things in this world that are worth fighting for. Things that require courage & strength, wisdom & grace, faithfulness & love. What are the things in your life worth fighting for? Look at the stories of your life. What are the things that touch you, anger you, humble you? What are the things you're most passionate about? What do you value?
Stuck? Can't think of anything? Sounds like the stories of your life have succeeded in numbing & deadening your heart? Then it's your heart - the very "aliveness" of your heart that you need to fight for. Your heart, your life is good! Even if you're under a great shadow & can't see it right now. It is worth fighting for. And you are not alone. When you can no longer fight, you will look back & see that you are being carried. You will see those times the battle is being fought for you and you will find a season of rest & healing & nourishment. For your story is not over. You are needed. There are still things worth fighting for.
"What are we holding onto, Sam?"
"There's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it's worth fighting for."
Lord of the Ring, The Two Towers. Conversation between Samwise & Frodo
What if we were to view our life as a storybook - with a beginning, middle & end. With characters & plots & settings; conflict & loss & drama; humor & adventure & meaning. We don't know how our story will end. We can't always make sense of the storyline, of the characters in & out of our life. But there are themes if we study our story.
When we're in darkness. When we're exhausted from a battle of depression or fear. When we've been pierced by a sword of loss or shame and we feel like we can't go on, there is hope. This too shall pass. You can turn a new page. You can begin a new chapter.
There are things in this world that are worth fighting for. Things that require courage & strength, wisdom & grace, faithfulness & love. What are the things in your life worth fighting for? Look at the stories of your life. What are the things that touch you, anger you, humble you? What are the things you're most passionate about? What do you value?
Stuck? Can't think of anything? Sounds like the stories of your life have succeeded in numbing & deadening your heart? Then it's your heart - the very "aliveness" of your heart that you need to fight for. Your heart, your life is good! Even if you're under a great shadow & can't see it right now. It is worth fighting for. And you are not alone. When you can no longer fight, you will look back & see that you are being carried. You will see those times the battle is being fought for you and you will find a season of rest & healing & nourishment. For your story is not over. You are needed. There are still things worth fighting for.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
