But the problem with evil is that it never rests. It always assaults, always prowls, always seeks to devour. What Frodo and the others had to face is that there is a dark evil in the cosmos, and the darkness always spreads.
I know a lot of Christians who are hobbit-like. I'm one of them. I like my shire, my home, my family, my church, my sphere of ministry. I'd like to keep my life under the radar so no one out there will notice (unless they're wanting to be a part of my world). I'd like to speak truth to my folks, and maybe speak out against error and sin at a safe distance from the world of evil around me, but not really get noticed for that stand against sin and for righteousness. If I get noticed then the risks of hostility increase.
Martin Luther rebukes me in his famous wake-up to the church and her leaders:
"If I profess with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at the moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I maybe professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle field besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."
Friends: evil is happening. Clouds of darkness are forming. A culture of death and malice and self is squeezing us in. Freedom is waning, and the cost of speaking clearly for Christ is going up. It is not a time to flinch or fly under the radar. It's a time to stand up, speak up, and give it all up, for Christ.
I'm still processing what that has to look like, but one thing I know: we need real men and strong women (both as biblically rather than culturally defined) who will take a stand for God, truth, life, and love--in both word and deed--and in so doing confess Christ where the battle rages in our times.
O Lord keep us from flight and disgrace.
Ok, I'll admit to being a bit "Hobbit like" too. I have made a few forays into the darkness-- usually in the form of a letter to the editor, or my allotted 3 minute speech to the Board of Education. But, for the most part, yes,I have played it safe. But I'm not happy with this.
ReplyDeleteThe happiness I seek in my own shire is certainly diminished by the knowledge of what's going on outside, and the nagging impression that I ought to be doing something about it.
The figure from Lord of the Rings, that made an even deeper impression on me is King Theoden in "The Two Towers." I had a good look at myself in this frail and deceived King. Not sure what (or who) exactly is my Grima Wormtongue, but there is something that cripples me, and stays me whenever I feel I may perhaps make a go of this valiant warfare we are called to.
I believe, and hope, that the Word of God, faithfully preached will loosen this hold on me. I need to be shaken by the Truth. I haven't had strong preaching like we're getting now for some time.
Thank you Tim, and you other pastors at Trinity~ May the Word of God shake us-- wake us, and enable us to identify and discard the crippling lies that have lulled us to sleep. May His Truth embolden us to be the soldiers we are called to be. The battle is raging all around, and I believe (like Tolkein?) that the time is short.