An Adventure Worth Sharing

“I’m looking for someone to share in an adventure…”

Powerful words… spoken by Gandalf in the trailer for The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey (which is coming out this December, and I wish it was sooner.)

The words didn't really strike me at first, but something in this trailer stirred me. Yes… it looks to be awesome—beyond possibly the other three films—but that wasn’t it.

I downloaded the video and watched it a few times and nearly every time I got chills.  I thought it was just the dwarves’ song of the Misty Mountains (which is amazing and stirring in its own right), but it was still something more.

Bilbo replies that he is, “…a Baggins, of Bag End.” He is especially convinced of the of Bag End bit. It is his identity, and he “can’t” go traipsing off on some adventure.

How often am I like that?

Bilbo is being invited to discover there is more to him than he’s aware. That he is capable of taking the adventure he’s called to—head on—and going there and back again.

Later in the preview he asks Gandalf, “Can you promise I will come back?”

Gandalf says, “No… and if you do, you will not be the same.”

Over and over this movie trailer stirred me.  So much that I pulled the audio from the video and set it to repeat on my work computer. With my headphones plugged in and laying on the desk, I worked my usual day. At whiles I’d feel the desire to hear that song again. So I’d pick up an earbud and pop it in.

“I’m looking for someone to share in an adventure…”

Those were the first words to greet my ear. I didn’t really think about it. I was waiting for the snippit of song to begin. I listened, enjoyed it, and set the earbud back down.  Later I put the earbud in again.

“I’m looking for someone to share in an adventure…”

Funny that’s the exact place it was last time I put this earpiece in.

Later. I want to hear that song.

(Still on repeat) Earbud in:

“I’m looking for someone to share in an adventure…”

And later. Earbud in…

“I’m looking for someone to share in an adventure…”

About that time I heard it. I’d been hearing it… but suddenly I heard it...

“I’m looking for someone to share in an adventure…”

What are the odds of that phrase being the first to my ears each time? It was uncanny.

God speaks in whatever way we’ll hear. That day it was in the voice of Ian Mckellen, as Gandalf.

“I’m looking for someone to share in an adventure… that someone is you.  Share it with me…”

But I’m a Baggins of Bag End. I’m just what I am. I’m not strong enough for adventure, or worthy of adventure, or prepared for it even.

Still… “I’m looking for someone to share in an adventure…”

Over the subsequent day’s God’s been inviting me into a more real life than I’ve been living. I’m afraid that at this point—much like Bilbo in the beginning of the story—I’m not very good at it… and I’m a little whiny. But, I’m encouraged. I see the challenging road ahead and I know that God is bringing me There and Back Again.

And, like Gandalf said, “…if you do you will not be the same.”

Bilbo Baggins returned a changed Hobbit, a stronger Hobbit, a Hobbit who knew who he was and what he was capable of—of being an adventurer, taking life’s trials head on, and succeeding in what he was called to do.

I’m taking this adventure wherever God takes me… even if it’s “Far over the Misty Mountains cold, to dungeons deep and caverns old.” Or to a cave with a dragon, or to a different home, or job or… whatever he calls me to.

And when I have reached the goal… I will not be the same. And that is a comforting thought (to me.)

If he’s calling you to an adventure, say yes. There’s no guarantee of safety, but it is guaranteed to be good.

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On an "authorly" note, if you haven't had a chance to read my "How to be a Hero" short story, here's the link:
     How to Be a Hero - Amazon


And, here is a link to another short story I wrote for Lulu.com's NaNoWriMo Short Story Contest.  It's only 600 words and it should be free if the issues Lulu was having are fixed.  Either way, I think it's worth it.  (a very different style than my usual, but I enjoyed writing it, so hopefully you'll enjoy it as well.)
     The PENN - Lulu.com



Thanks for reading!

Geno