Swept Up

Sam: “It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end, because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you, that meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folks in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going because they were holding on to something.”
Frodo: “What are we holding on to, Sam?”
Sam: “That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.” 

I love this quote.  I absolutely love these movies, and I'm sure when I read the books, I'll love them, too.  I relate to Samwise, who is aware of being swept up into a story that is greater than he is, beyond his understanding or control.  

I want to be swept up into a story.  Not just any story, though.  God's story--the one He is writing for me as the author and perfecter of my faith.

I have heard it said that people have different paradigms, different ways of viewing and understanding life.  For example, a soldier may feel that life is a battle, and you must always be on your guard against the enemy.  A dancer may see life as a partnership with others, and you make your moves deliberately while surrendering to the lead of your partner.  

I am a writer (among other things), and I love stories--especially ones filled with great risk and peril, great bonds of friendship that carry the characters through every hardship to find love and honor in the end.  I see life as a tale of adventure--an epic journey!  I long to be the character who, weak and ordinary in the beginning, goes through trial and test to overcome obstacle and inner struggle; the unlikely hero who, step after step, choice after choice, never gives up striving to do what is right because they hope for a greater end.  And suddenly, they have become the hero they never dreamed they could be.  Their life made a difference, and the world is better because they lived.

Can I ever be that hero?  I sometimes doubt it very much, but I long to believe.  "I do believe!  Help me overcome my unbelief!" I often find my heart calling to the Lord.  What chapter am I in now?  The beginning, just before destiny calls and the adventure truly begins?  The middle, when I've already been brought through trials which test my character and bring about the arc and transformation I long for?  I don't know.  I'm just the character, oblivious most of the time to the true adventure of my circumstances.

So, God...what is the story you're writing for me?  I am ready to be swept up in it!  Take me into the danger, for only in the fire can I prove to the world that you have the power to keep me from being burned!