Joyful Ruins

“This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected.” – Tolkien

Oh the comfortable life we cling to! As humans, just like hobbits, many of us cling to the routines of life. Even when we are called adventurous, we may come to realize, in uncertain times, that we desire predictability and creature comforts.

God does not leave us comfortable, for staying comfortable will not grow us or use us. We cannot help the world by sitting in our hobbit holes day after day. We cannot shine His light if we are hiding by our warm fires. And we will not learn about God, become like Him, if we are not willing to step out of our boxes.

Perhaps, you have found yourself with an unwanted uncertainty, trial, adventure in your life.

Let me invite you to see it in a new way. See it as the story of “how you had an adventure”.

It is through our unknowns, trials, that we “do things and say things altogether unexpected”.

It is in the adventure that God brings us to deeper faith, understanding, strength, and intimacy with Him. It is stepping out our door that takes us to places we would have never gone.

I know it might be difficult to call this season of your life an adventure because it is painful and grief filled. But, with God, it truly is an adventure and aren’t we all apprehensive at the beginning of an adventure? Aren’t there ups and downs?

Be encouraged that God will make this trial an adventure in your life and you will “come to do and say things you never expected to”.