"In a Hole in the Ground..."

"..there lived a Hobbit."

For years, the story of Bilbo Baggins has ignited the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike! Good and evil, Elves and dragons, and unlikely hero on an unlikely adventure. There is a beauty to the story of Bilbo that many tales of heroes and villains lack these days...depth. 

I recently re-watched the "epic motion picture" and was overtaken by a need for adventure! Life IS an adventure, though. I forget that sometimes. It is easy to forget the reality around you and to be caught up in all that one doesn't see or what one can't hear, feel, taste, or experience. Greed and covetousness for the experiences and lifestyle
s of others is an unhealthy way of going through existence; a misuse of the time that God has allotted to us. 

Recently, it has come to my attention that I dwell on the "what could be" and miss out on the "what is." Additionally, I do nothing to change "what is" to achieve the "what could be" and as a result I lay in self-imposed misery...missing out on life and missing out on opportunities to grow closer to God and to serve the Church and the world. 

Do not think that I am saying that desires to see the world or to have better things is a bad thing. Do think, however, that I am saying that we need a greater appreciation for what we do have and enjoy life as it is rather than be miserable in the thoughts of how it could be. As I have previous written about in an earlier post..."be present"

On the flip side of things, we should not become so caught up in the comforts of "what is" that we miss opportunities to step into peoples' lives and to experience the unknown, the new...and maybe even be a force of good that stumbles across the Ring of the Dark Lord, therefore becoming the gateway to saving the world form eternal darkness and despair! 

O.k. maybe a little far-fetched there, but you get my point. Bilbo was a happy fellow because he was able to enjoy the present and see the good that he had, but he also had the courage and drive to let go of all that he had to go out and be a part of something scary, challenging, and potentially life threatening. One of the most vital scenes in the movie (or so I believe) is toward the beginning when Gandalf and Bilbo are discussing the quest (see right). Gandalf states, "You will have a tale or two to tell when you come back." "Can you promise that I ever will come back,", asks Bilbo. Gandalf replied, "No...but if you do...you will not be the same." That was the point in which I found myself ready to jump on a plane to Africa! 

I think that God has a duel desire for humanity to find joy in their surroundings, but to also to not be enslaved by the possessions that we have and the lives that we run. Perhaps St. Francis of Assisi had a better understanding of what God desired for humanity than most of us do...maybe.  

I realize that I've jumped around a lot in this post, but it truly reflects my reflections (hehe) that came about from my watching the movie. 

Be grateful and work in the place that God has placed. Make the most of what you have! 

Be ready for when the call of duty comes and beckons you to do more and to be courageous for the sake of the Kingdom and for Christ our Lord and our King (who lives and reigns with the Father and with the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen). 

Peace be with you all,

Stephen