Tag: Paul

One path

I finished reading Herman Hesse’s novel Siddhartha this past weekend, and there’s a lot for the reader to unpack at the end. One of the many threads running through the story is the role of teachers in our lives–especially teachers who tell us how to live.

Siddhartha meets Gautama, the famous Buddha, toward the beginning of his journey for enlightenment. Even though Siddhartha finds the Buddha’s teachings very wise, he can’t square the nagging concern that following the wise sage means rejecting his own path. He believes that following a man instead of discovering truth for himself will lead no where. In other words, Siddhartha has to work out his own truth.

The Apostle Paul speaks in similar terms. He warns his readers to not be followers of men:

What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephasb ”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Live long enough, and you’ll realize finding your path relies upon you and not the cacophony of the world.

Gollum and pity

I encourage you to click on the following link and watch the 2:14 clip. If you’ve seen the first Lord of the Rings movie, you’re probably familiar with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RemBy5yeW8g

Now that you’ve seen the video, I have to tell you why this small part made me love the film version of this story.

Pity is the reason none of the fellowship kill Gollum. They could have at any moment. I mean, Gandalf knew he was following them for three days. Later, when Frodo and Sam are traveling with Gollum during The Two Towers, there were plenty of chances they could of gotten rid of him. But they didn’t.

“He hates and loves the ring, as he hates and loves himself.”

After all, “it was pity that stayed Bilbo’s hand.” So Frodo shouldn’t have said Bilbo should have killed him when he had the chance. At least, not according to Gandalf.

“Many that live deserved death, and some that die deserve life.”

Yes, Gandalf is correct, and to try to explain why this is can drive a person mad.

So it’s established that things happen we have no control over. Later, Gandalf says,

“Do not be too eager to deal out death and judgement. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or evil, before this is over.”

Here, he tells Frodo to not be too quick to judge others. Even people who have done horrible things. It’s not our place to judge, so don’t do it.

“The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of men.”

The above excerpt shows even more proof in a sovereign plan. It may be what some would call “weakness” that may save mankind. In brokenness, they may find salvation.

“I wish the ring had never come to me,” Frodo says. “I wish none of this happened.”

Gandalf replies, “So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the ring, in which case you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.”

Yes. Unfairness, death, and despair are all around us, but we didn’t choose this. And we definitely can’t choose when we should be alive to “strut and fret (our) hour upon the stage.” All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us. As Jesus says, worry about today, because tomorrow will have its own problems. God will take care of us.

Here’s more sovereign-tak from Gandalf: “Bilbo was meant to find the ring, in which case you were also meant to have it.”

Bilbo found the ring for a reason. This seemingly inconsequential happenstance would liberate Middle Earth and usher in a new era.

Likewise, we can’t even fathom why things happen. We can’t see anything clearly. “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror,” Paul says. Truer words may never have been said.

So, to wrap this up (thank you for obliging my love for The Lord of the Rings), pity is a wonderful thing. I would go so far as to see it’s a scarce thing. Especially for those we don’t love. Especially for those who have done things to not earn it.

Also, pity can “rule the fate of men.” We’re told to be loving — and I would say empathetic — in the Bible for a reason. It may be a reason we can’t comprehend.

Lastly, everything happens for a reason. We can’t control everything. All we can do is try our best in the moment.

P.S. After this interlude, Gandalf remembers his way through the cave. “The air is less foul” through one of three tunnels. Sometimes, a small, honest conversation can change our trajectory through life.

And that is an encouraging thought. Isn’t it?