Just call me Bilbo Baggins. No, I do not have furry hobbit feet, and I do not smoke a pipe, or anything else. But Mr. Baggins (of Tolkien’s famous book The Hobbit) and I share one significant character trait – a distaste for adventures.
One beautiful morning, similar to the mornings we are enjoying now, Baggins is visited by none other than the great Gandalf. After they exchange pleasantries about the weather, Gandalf reveals the reason for his visit.
“I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.”
“I should think so – in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! Can’t think what anybody sees in them,” said our Baggins…
Like Bilbo, I live a mostly peaceful, orderly, comfortable life. I don’t care for thrill rides, driving too fast, or sudden schedule changes. My friends tell me that if anyone was casing my house, they would have no trouble figuring out when my house is empty, because I go to karate classes, Bible study, and grocery shopping at the same times on the same days each week.
Boooorrrrriiiiiiiiing!
I wonder how many invitations to adventure God has presented that I turned down, either because I was afraid of discomfort, or because I didn’t trust Him. And how would my life be different, if I had responded with an enthusiastic, “Yes!”
Lately, God is thrusting me into adventure, whether I like it or not. When people hear that our house is for sale and ask where we are moving, I can only shrug and say, “I have no idea.” The situation is curiously adventurous – and I don’t mind it so much.
As for Mr. Baggins, there was “something queer in his make-up” from his mother’s side, “something that only waited for a chance to come out.” This something did come out, and he did have a wondrous, challenging, scary, thrilling adventure.
I have a sneaking suspicion that there resides in me that little something, too, waiting for a chance to come out.
Perhaps there is an adventure in me, yet…
I can trust the One taking me, even if I can’t see where we’re going.
And the more I let go, the more FUN it becomes.
Well said, my friend…see, there was a blog in there waiting to come out! I, too, am dependably scheduled, but am soooo jealous of your adventure.
Adventure and hold on tight to the One who brought you!
You’re definitely not the only one like that. There have been studies done which track human patterns through cell phone use. Turns out an overwhelming majority of us (even those that seem free and adventuresome) are creatures of habit. Pretty sad really, little robots running around completely predictable.
Wow. I thought I was weird. Turns out I’m normal in my weirdness. Maybe it’s just that I’m normal in my lack of trust and adventure aversion. So which category are you? 🙂
I mean, adventurer or robot?
God will give you wings and allow you to fly. The whole world awaits. Imagine what would have happened if you had stayed in NC last June… 🙂
Hi Wendi, this is Gary, Greg’s friend. Visit my blog http://mrgaryo.wordpress.com/
and read “Walking in the Snow with Dad”.
Grace to you,
Gary
Thanks, Gary. Nice read. 🙂 Sure wish God wouldn’t leave us in limbo sometimes, though, ya know?
I’m a robot.
Wow, Mom! I haven’t read one of these in ages! Thumbs up to you and your blog!