Greetings Dear Reader,
In the first chapter of The Hobbit, Gandalf tells Thorin
and company that Bilbo is the “chosen and selected” fourteenth member of their
party. We need to recall that it is Gandalf
who marks Bilbo’s door and informs the Dwarves that the party is there at Bilbo’s
home. At the root of all that unfolds in
the life of Bilbo and subsequently Frodo and the other Hobbits is the action of
Gandalf to choose Bilbo.
When I ponder this, I consider what Gandalf’s purpose or
purposes are. They are not at all clear
until one knows the rest of the story.
Bilbo does not seem at able to be a stealthy adventurous burglar. This is, however, exactly what he becomes. As the story unfolds, the Hobbit grows into exactly
what he is meant to be from the beginning and more.
One cannon honestly read these stories without acknowledging
that they are written from a world view that is focused on Christ and redemption. Others have done a far better work at this
analysis than I can do here. I do want
to delve a little into the idea of Bilbo being chosen.
We are chosen by God.
I will not debate the ideas of free will and predestination with you
right now but we can discuss it at some point if you wish. Rather, I want to look at the idea of God
choosing us for things that we seem under qualified for and unable to do. We are chosen and we respond to the choice to
follow or not follow Christ.
If our response is to do that which we are chosen for, the
will and ability to do it will be provided.
Paul told the people who followed Christ in Phillipa that God is “at
work in us both to will and to do according to his good pleasure.” I do not have to have all the ability and
even the strength of will. If I am willing
to will then that is enough. I can
depend on the Father for the rest.
With Paul I also say, I believe. Help my unbelief. I also add:
I am willing, help my lack of will.
I love; help my lack of love. I am
humbled; help my humility. I am patient;
help my patience. I will follow; help me
to follow.
Whatever I have when God chooses me is enough. In depending on him to provide and guide I
will obtain the rest as needed. My first
glimmer of what lies ahead in both the Tolkien stories and in life is the understanding
that I was chosen for a purpose. It is
heading out the door to the adventure that I find that purpose realized. It is following in faith that gets me to the
place I need to be in order to realize my purpose. It is also realizing my purpose to simply
follow in faith.
We are chosen for a purpose Dear Reader. That should be enough to get us out the
door. Keep walking with me and let us
see together what unfolds. Your company
makes the road less tiresome and the adventure more delightful.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every
writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a
home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure
store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
Support Page on
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Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
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