Anyone who knows me well understands my love of fantasy literature. As a young child, I immersed myself in the many adventures of Dorothy and her friends in the Land of Oz. Later I discovered the wonders in Narnia and Middle Earth. Authors such as L Frank Baum, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien captured my imagination. Their books became common reading material for my children’s bedtime stories. So much wisdom lies packed within their pages just waiting to be gleaned by the next generation.
Most epic fantasies start with a common theme. An unlikely hero in the story finds him(her)self in a situation not of their choosing. This situation compels them to leave their place of comfort and step out into the unknown. In The Fellowship of the Ring, would-be hero Frodo expresses his reservations to the wizard Gandalf. “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what we do with the time that is given to us.”
So, Frodo must decide what he will do with the Ring. He didn’t ask for this responsibility but finds it thrust upon him. Isn’t this a question for every age and every time? We don’t live in a fantasy world (although some of us might like to try it). However, every one of us has some sort of Ring we must deal with. We, like Frodo, ask the proverbial question. Why did this have to happen in my lifetime? Life felt so comfortable then BAM! Everything changed in a moment.
In the Bible, we see a similar scenario play out. When faced with the imminent annihilation of her people, Queen Esther initially resists a call to action by her relative Mordecai. But Mordecai answers her resistance with his classic statement.
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.
Esther 4:14
Can you relate? Do you feel as if you’re caught up in a story that you didn’t choose? Between my sister’s cancer and the Covid 19 pandemic, my story has played out much differently than I imagined a year ago. Just like Frodo and Queen Esther, I wasn’t given the opportunity to choose the events in my lifetime. Nevertheless, I do have a choice in how I respond within the circumstances around me. And so do you.
Instead of railing against your circumstances, resolve to make peace with them. Acknowledge your suffering but recognize the good within it. Love more. Give more. Reach out when the opportunity presents itself to improve the situation for others.
Be the unlikely hero in your own story. You may not see it or understand it now but perhaps God positioned you perfectly to make a difference in such a time as this.
