My Beloved. I really do love You and You really know how to lead me. You are the master, and I am the disciple. At Your feet do I come, to sit and be still.
When Mr. Bilbo finds himself in a harsh wilderness setting he does what any of us do when we find ourselves lost. He musters up his survival instinct and does his best to strive with his surroundings. He soon finds that he is no match for the challenge. Ridges and slopes falling great distances.
In the spiritual life I have often come to this place. There is a sense of vertigo and a feeling of aloneness. What if I fall? Who will be there to pick me up? He will give His angels charge over me.
Disoriented by his new surroundings he wanders around for a bit. The sun starts to descend. Not only is it getting dark but the mountains are behind him and cast their shadows upon his path. He is in a dark and scary place. Darkness and shadows.
Familiar things are stripped away (hood, cloak, food, buttons). The unknown becomes a canvas for our innermost feelings. Search me and know my anxious thoughts.
A spark of courage flares up in Mr. Bilbo. He will return and find his traveling companions. The thought of them a the mercy of the goblins is stronger than his survival instinct.
Darkness, shadows and fears cannot extinguish hope. Real hope comes from relationship. There is no fear in love, but full-grown complete perfect love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror.
No comments:
Post a Comment