If I Were A Hobbit

For a good while I was fighting thoughts of inadequacy.  I began working at Searchlight Church as youth pastor during my sophomore year of college.  I drove two hours every single Sunday morning from Pennsylvania to the Jersey Shore.  During that commute, I was bombarded by thoughts of inadequacy.

You have to understand, I was driving from Valley Forge Christian College.  VFCC is the hub of ministry-hungry students ready to serve their guts out for God.  So how the heck did I become the youth pastor at Searchlight?  I had no idea what I was doing.  I wasn’t the right major.  I wasn’t ready.  I didn’t have enough experience.  All four pastors who worked at the church had years of previous youth ministry experience.  They could have chosen anyone; how did it end up being me?

A QUICK DETOUR TO ONE HOBBIT’S ADVENTURE

"I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure."
-Gandalf, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Bilbo Baggins is the main character in The Hobbit.  He lives in his hobbit hole in the Shire, comfortable in his home reading his books and maps.  He isn’t anyone special with any special skills or abilities.  Thirteen dwarves and a wizard come to his house, select him for the journey, and Bilbo experiences an extraordinary adventure.

Bilbo becomes a pivotal part of the adventure; he actually faces the dragon Smaug when no one else does, participates in the Battle of the Five Armies, is named “Elf-Friend” by King Thranduil, goes home with a chest of gold, and is even given a special honor to travel back to Valinor with the Elves – a rare exception that few in the world have ever received.

(Sorry for nerding out…I like the idea of comparing myself to a Lord of the Rings character)

But why Bilbo?  There was nothing special about him.  There are so many others to choose from, so many more qualified people.

It’s because he was willing.

Bilbo was willing to go.  While he was unskilled and inexperienced, Thorin’s Company of Dwarves needed a fourteenth member, and Bilbo was willing.  Because of his willingness, not only did he get to witness a great adventure, but played a vital role in the adventure.  Because of his willingness, the One Ring was found and eventually destroyed, thus saving the entire world from utter destruction.  Because of his willingness, Bilbo was honored, blessed and changed through his adventure. 

David has a similar story in scripture.  When Goliath would come and taunt the entire Israelite army, no one was willing to step up to the plate.  Everyone was afraid.  But David was willing.

WILLINGNESS + ACTION = DIFFERENCE

Of course, willingness isn’t enough.  If Bilbo was willing to go but didn’t wake up in the morning, or didn’t walk into the dragon’s lair, his willingness would have meant nothing.  If David was willing to go but didn’t pick up any stones or didn’t show up to the battle, nothing would have happened.  Willingness plus action makes a difference.

And then the rest is up to God.  Bilbo would have never been prepared to face the dragon, but he found just the tool he needed along the way – the Ring.  Similarly, David by himself was no challenge to Goliath; it’s because God was with him that he succeeded.

That’s what has given me peace when it comes to my story.  I definitely didn’t get this amazing opportunity because of my qualifications or experiences.  Although driving two hours every Sunday morning felt strenuous and invited negative thoughts, I think the bigger picture is that I was willing to do it.

THE TRUTH ABOUT ADVENTURES

Sometimes adventures aren’t always as dreamy as they seem while we’re in the middle of them.  Although Bilbo got to do all these incredible things, he was still hunted by orcs, almost singed by dragon-fire and wrapped up in spider webbing!

Sometimes ministry isn’t always about standing in front of people; sometimes it involves getting hurt, working hard, and not being properly appreciated.  Sometimes it might be driving two hours back and forth just to be there.  But we remember that because of our willingness, we’ll get to participate in what God is doing.

SHARE IN THE ADVENTURE

God is on the move, asking us to share in His adventure, and even if it isn’t always easy, playing a part in His adventure is well worth the work.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

–Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20)

God saved you by his grace when you believed.  And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

–Ephesians 2:8-10