A New Year to Abide in God's Word

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

John 15:1-5

In the time between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, many of us begin reflecting over and evaluating the past year. We scribble our last tasks in our current day planners and calendars to finish out the year, and prepare to open a fresh new calendar. I grasp this new dayplanner in my hands, carefully chosen from the ocean of planners available online. Every page is blank and clean, like a fresh start of possibilities. It is one of my favorite year-end activities as, one by one, the birthdates, anniversaries, camping trips, church events, daily tasks, and family reunions get jotted down.

This is also a season when gardeners and arborists begin planning out their pruning schedules. When I look at the raspberry canes covered in snow, I start to envision a future of neat and tidy rows of raspberries with healthy green shoots and plump red berries for smoothies and muffins. But there won’t be any good fruit if I don’t first prune the plant. What needs to be pruned? All the brown canes from last year’s fruits which are now dead and will not produce next summer; all the sick and diseased canes, and all the unhealthy weak ones that have shriveled up due to parasites or mold. Once pruned, the raspberry plant is protected and given a better chance at producing good fruit that will bring nourishment.

In many ways, that is what we are doing when we look back and evaluate the past year. Wisdom invites us to evaluate what in our lives needs to be pruned away, cut off, and thrown in the fire. We easily fall into habits that cause us harm instead of fruit. We often don’t want to go through the hard work of pruning and removing unhealthy habits that don’t produce any lasting fruit in our lives. There may be some habits in your life that God is asking you to prune away and burn in the fire of His sanctification. Consider for a moment what God can do in a life that is pruned by His gentle hands.

In the same way, God desires that we abide in Him and in His Word. The word “abide” means to remain and dwell in a state of continuous presence and endurance. There are many ways we abide in God’s Word, one of which is the weekly public reading of Scripture when we gather on the Lord’s Day. Other ways of abiding in God’s Word might be placing Scripture verses around our homes and work places, even in our vehicles, on the mirrors, or even tattooed on our arms! To know and live in God’s will, we must be feeding on the Word and allowing it to change us. Another way to abide daily in God’s Word is to set aside a portion of time or times each day to read Scripture. After 45 years of life, the past 5 years have been the most consistent for myself in this endeavor.

While we were still at seminary in St Louis, Craig told me about a Bible reading plan called Community Bible Reading/Seeing Jesus Together. I looked at the reading plan and saw that it only required two chapters a day from me. For me, at that stage of life and seminary and parenting little ones, I knew I had to keep it to a manageable and realistic-for-me amount of reading. I decided to give it a try. This January, I’ll start my 6th year of this reading plan, and it is a joy to look back on these years of God’s Word saturating my heart and mind, discovering so much more than I ever thought possible from the Word.

Habits take a lot of time to develop, and a regular act of the will to choose to accomplish. I’m not sharing this to boast about my Scripture reading habits. I am sharing this to show that it is possible to develop a regular daily habit of Scripture reading. It is possible, after so many failed attempts, to enact a structured plan for regular immersion in the Word of God. It is also possible to develop an appetite for God’s Word that cannot be quenched, that makes me long to get up in the morning, get my coffee and blanket, and sit alone with the Word, and experience the communion of hearing His voice in the Scriptures. I want the Lord to produce as much fruit as possible in my short, little life. But, like He says, “…apart from me you can do nothing.”

So let the Lord prune your habits, schedules, and priorities this new year. Ask Him to help you to read His Word, one chapter at a time, and let His Word nourish you that you may abide in Him and in His Word.

The following is a brief list to begin your search for a Bible reading plan that works for you:

CBR Journal/Seeing Jesus Together

Daily Grace Co.

Daily Prayer Project

The Daily Office Lectionary

Every Day in the Word

M’Cheyne Reading Plan

Wintering, Watchfulness, and Unlikely Advent Companions

As the Winter Solstice approaches, the days are growing shorter. The light which used to rise in the northeast now rises over the Ahtanum Ridge southeast of our home. Instead of setting behind Mount Rainier, it now sets directly behind Mount Adams, another of our majestic volcanoes that dress the landscape of the Northwest. Our windows face this most beautiful of dramas that christens every morning with beauty and blesses every evening with its swift benediction.

The evenings of the Pacific Northwest are the darkest of the contiguous United States where the sun rises today at 7:38am and sets at 4:14pm. The days will continue to decrease in light until December 21st, the darkest day of the year, nicknamed “The Big Dark” where we will only have 8.5 hours of sunlight. And north of the border, where I come from, it is even slightly shorter. This is the season of wintering and watchfulness. As we prepare for the onset of winter and wait for the light to begin growing again, the natural world around us urges us on toward preparation, both in our dwellings and in our hearts.

After 8 inches of snow fell last weekend, I tromped across our yard to the chicken coop where our ten little hens live. Poor little things! For days, they did not come out of their coop, terrified as they were and certainly wondering, “What is all this scary white stuff falling from the sky?”. I changed their bedding of pine shavings, filled their feeder with pellets, brought fresh water, and collected their eggs. I also took a snow shovel and tried to clear a path for them so they could see the familiar ground and attempt to step outside their shelter into the crisp blue sky.

I’ve been able to be attentive to my heart in an intentional way this advent. I’m pondering many things and trying to be watchful to what the Lord is teaching me, even if it’s just to be still. Since summer 2020, I have been waking more often in the middle of the night and early in the morning. Early morning quiet time has become an anticipated part of my morning routine. I sit beside the Christmas tree, decorated by our young lady and three growing boys who are, one by one, beginning to tower above me. One day, I noticed two of the new little birds my mother got for our tree when she and my dad were visiting. It was like these birds were watching me: two little companions to join me on my advent journey this year. It made me laugh. They are quite unlikely though, specifically because they are not real, but also because I never planned for them to be sitting there, watching me. But this is where they were placed when we decorated the tree, and I love that they are there “watching”. I’ve always loved woodland creatures, real or stuffed, and so there they sit. They’ve become my advent companions on these dark early mornings as I sit and read Scripture and meditate on Advent poems and thoughts and try to practice being still while I wait for the light to come.

Another unlikely advent companion is a set of songs I loved so dearly when they first were released into the world in the summer of 1998. This was an unlikely advent addition as it is not a Christmas album. And yet, it is everything that Advent and Christmas is. This past November, I was listening to all the old Rich Mullins songs I had listened to on repeat as a teenager and early college student, simply because I was reminded of this singer songwriter.

In summer ‘98, I had been out of high school for 3 years already with a year of Bible school, experience working at a Christian daycare, and several classes from a local university college tucked into my portfolio of post-secondary adventures. I had just returned home from a mission trip to Argentina and was trying to figure out the direction the Lord wanted me to go. I was taking my sweet time and the Lord was too, but all, I believe, for a purpose. Jesus is never late. I sought the Lord for guidance, and I couldn’t shake the desire to go back to Bible College. It’s what I wanted more than anything. As I prepared to switch colleges and enter back into Bible and ministry training, I discovered a beautiful collection of songs by the late Rich Mullins called The Jesus Record. It became my anthem and driving music to inspire me as I drove around the town of my beginnings and settled into my new life at Bible college.

Rich Mullins had died several months prior to the recording and release of his last album. Musician friends and artists completed it for him. I believe it’s one of his most powerful works of music that he recorded. The A side of the cassette tape is his own demo versions of the songs with just a tape recorder, a piano and a guitar. These are some of my favorite versions. The B side is the more polished, finished renditions of this collection which I love equally.

Recently, I stumbled upon a new recording of Rich Mullins’ songs called The Bellsburg Sessions. This album is a recreation of some of his original songs released just this year, 25 years after his tragic death. The familiar lyrics of these vintage songs remind me of that definitive time in my life as I wandered through the early years of adulthood. As I’ve been enjoying these songs afresh, I’ve been reminded of one that has become an unlikely advent companion in my heart, the song, My Deliverer:

Joseph took his wife and her child and they went to Africa
To escape the rage of a deadly king
There along the banks of the Nile, Jesus listened to the song
That the captive children used to sing

They were singing
"My deliverer is coming, my deliverer is standing by
My deliverer is coming, my deliverer is standing by"

Through a dry and thirsty land, water from the Kenyon heights
Pours itself out of Lake Sangra's broken heart
There in the Sahara winds Jesus heard the whole world cry
For the healing that would flow from His own scars

The world was singing
"My deliverer is coming, my deliverer is standing by
My deliverer is coming, my deliverer is standing by”…

-Rich Mullins, The Jesus Record

This song is God-haunted, as it takes the listener to the banks of the Nile River in Egypt where the Hebrew slaves labored unceasingly under their oppressors, the Egyptian Regime in Old Testament times. These Hebrew children cried out for God to hear them, and He did.

“During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.” Exodus 2:23-25

Jesus, knowing the history of his people, of his ancestors, knew the cries of His people for deliverance. They were awaiting a deliverer, a Messiah, the Promised Seed, and he was the one prophesied to come. He came as a baby, born to a virgin, an “in-flesh-ment” as Eugene Peterson once called it. He came for his people, and he came for all nations.

He came for me. And He will come again for us.

At the time of first hearing this song, the Lord gave me hope and reminded me, during many trials, that my Deliverer, Jesus Himself, was coming back and He would rescue me from all the struggles. He would deliver me and heal me. So when I listen to this song now, 25 years later, I am reminded of that beautiful gift of hope He gave me in this song and through His Word and by His Holy Spirit! We are awaiting our Lord’s second coming. Until he returns, we are in a perpetual season of Advent. No one knows the day or hour of his coming, not even Himself, but only the Father (Matthew 24:36). My Deliverer is coming, my Deliverer is standing by. When the Father gives the nod, the Son of God will come in all His glorious splendor, and He will bring the fullness of His Kingdom and His reign. Yes Lord, Come!

Winter in the orchards

The Keeping of Advent

Thursday was all prepared. We had the turkey, the potatoes, the stuffing, the dinner rolls, a pie given from a friend, and green beans amandine. My kids had all come down with a stomach flu this week, but were slowly recovering. With my mom and dad visiting from Canada, our house was full of anticipation for the week of holiday celebrations and preparations to enjoy together. One day was down with several of the kids sick, but there was hope that all would be well. Around noon, while the kids and I were working on a puzzle, the nausea I had already experienced only grew. Alas, I missed the whole Thanksgiving dinner.

Friday was the day we would head out into the woods to chop down our $5 Christmas tree, a new tradition we absolutely love to do together. We bring hot cocoa in a thermos and enjoy the sips in the frosty snow-laden forest. If there’s enough snow, there’s sledding too. Its one of our favorite ways to celebrate as Thanksgiving feasts give way to Advent preparation. Alas, another cancellation due to this unanticipated illness.

In the hours of quiet, tucked away in my room, while the house was aflutter with happy voices and delicious smells, I was grateful and prayerful. My mother kept reminding me that there is a reason for all of this, pointing my heart to trust God, and she is a woman who has learned to trust God.

Traditions and holidays are a joyful and creative way for us to celebrate the meaningful events of our faith. But these things are also not meant to become forms of idolatry. When plans change and expectations are unmet, we can throw our hands in the air or we can choose watchfulness. In the many hours of rest and recovery, I was able to think (between waking and falling asleep again) plans for celebrating the season of Advent at home with our family.

We’ve been keeping the season of Advent ever since our kids were babies. Through the years, we added various traditions, homemade crafts, advent wreaths, homemade ornaments, festive activities, several devotional style readings, and of course our favorite chocolates. This year, the Lord led me to some new resources to add to our collection.  And while the advent season, or Christmas, or Easter, are not commanded by our Lord to observe, as He is all-sufficient and He indwells His people, still the rhythms of remembering help us to intentionally interact with the events of our faith and renew our hope and focus for His second coming.

I have been greatly inspired by this list of advent resources and am eagerly awaiting a few of these items to arrive in the mail. To be sure, none of our traditions are necessary, only Christ is necessary and fully able to satisfy our souls. But I look forward to the generosity of these sub-creators who have used their artistic and literary gifts bestowed on them from above to help our minds and souls engage with the stories of our faith, the meta-narrative of Scripture, the timeline of redemptive history. In keeping Advent, we are practicing remembering.

In the quiet of Saturday morning, with enough strength to brave the tree nursery down the road, my dad and I took my kids, while my mom and husband were the next to catch the virus. We picked out the Christmas tree and poinsettia, decorated the tree with Vince Guaraldi’s Charlie Brown Christmas playing in the background. I prepared the mantel with clippings from the bottom of the tree, some acorns, and an old white window frame given to us years ago which I rediscovered in our garage storage room. I also had managed to dehydrate some sliced orange pieces I wanted to use to decorate our tree.

My dad was sitting in the chair nearest the tree, and I asked him if he was watching the game or reading, and he said quietly, “I’m just reading in 1 Corinthians.” My pastor-father, meeting with the Word made flesh, in the quiet of the early afternoon. I sat beside him and threaded my dried orange slices. We listened quietly to the mid-winter carols that would accompany my family through the watchful season. It was the beginning of Advent.

Welcome Autumn, Welcome Frost

Good autumnal morning! That seems to be the appropriate way to start this post this morning. When I took our dogs outside this morning, the joy of the first frost welcomed me into a new season, that of late autumn in the Pacific Northwest. In three weeks, we went from having 80 degree weather, a pleasantly long summer, to freezing temperatures. Our typical Fall was short this year, but the frost is a welcome change with sweaters and scarves and pumpkin scented candles, fires crackling in the hearth, and children donning their slippers I made for them last year.

Occasional seasonal posts seem to be all I have capacity for in this season of church planting. My days and weeks are joyously full. My husband has to remind me to slow down and rest. But I love to minister to others, and it gives me great joy to care for my home, light the candles before the guests arrive (or have guests light the candles for me when I forget), and have the kitchen ready for the next deluge of crockpots to be brought and plugged in. My kids set up the extra long table and pull chairs from around the house to seat as many as possible as other furniture is shoved to the sides of the room to make more room. I recently bought a beautiful yellow linen apron, quite inexpensive and simple, but it delights me as I prepare. The baskets of baby and toddler toys are pulled out so the littlest guests can play, and the board books from my kids’ earlier days are still being loved (and chewed) by the little ones in our church family. Recently, I decided to purchase a new front door mat as our old one (from only two years ago) has worn away with all the feet that have crossed our threshold in two years of church planting.

I will share in this post about two studies I am pursuing this Fall. The first is listening to the audio of a class on Hebrews to Revelation, by Dr Dan Doriani from Covenant Theological Seminary in St Louis. Together with a friend, we are listening to this series of lectures and once a week, discussing what we are learning in an hour long video call. This has been a great way to dig deeper into Scripture together. I love to listen to the audio while folding laundry, doing chores around the house, taking the dog for a walk, or driving to town for errands.

Reading This Beautiful Truth at Ohanapecosh, Mt Rainier, Washington, Fall 2022

The second study I am pursuing at the moment is an online book club called Book Girl Fellowship by Sarah Clarkson in England. Last year, her book, This Beautiful Truth: How God’s Goodness Breaks into our Darkness, was released into the world. I recently finished this book, and think that I may have to write a book review on it. It is a light shining in this world of deep darkness. I had to read just little bits at a time, to savor each section. I didn’t want to put it down, but I also didn’t want it to end. It means so much to me that she willingly wrote such a personal and vulnerable account of God’s goodness in mental illness. Because of this book, I wanted to hear more of what she has to share with the world and be one of those receiving the light of Christ she is reflecting through her words as she discusses great works of literature and theology.

And now I must be off to fold laundry and listen to the next lecture in the Hebrews study, while my children are at school today. May autumn leaves fall softly on your fields, and may the warmth of candlelight illumine your day. You are so beloved by the Good Shepherd.

Wild Things & Castles in the Sky ~ A Book Review at Story Warren

I snuck downstairs early before dawn, lighted my Wax & Wool candle, Pacific Coast scent, and wrapped myself in a knitted baby blanket I keep upstairs with my toddler baskets for when Mamas and Littles come to visit. Its quiet in the house right now. I hear a few cars driving by, people heading to work in town or in the plethora of orchards and fruit warehouses in the valley. My earl grey tea from an eastern European country is steeping while I type. I love to know where things come from. I read the back of the tea box and it tells me all about the beginning of tea cultivation in the far away country of Georgia, where a dear friend lives with her family:

“It was back in 1809 when the first tea plant was cultivated in Georgia under Mamia V Gurieli, Prince of Guria. That marked the beginning of two hundred years of Georgian tea history.”

I’m thankful for the gift of friendship and tea. When you know someone carried a box of tea in her suitcase to share with you all the way from the other side of the world, that cup of tea warms the heart in a meaningful way. It tells a story.

Tea and friendship and stories are all included in the gift I want to place in your hands. A few months ago, a dear friend from Bellingham, Théa, asked me if I would be interested in writing a book review for her first published book. I was elated, of course!

Upon visiting her lovely home in springtime, she gave me a copy of her book. I began to explore this tome of essays that she had both the opportunity to be editor of, as well as contributor. When I heard her name mentioned on The Habit podcast, I was overjoyed as I listened to Jonathan Rogers and Leslie Bustard discuss this brand new work of literature.

When beginning to write my review for the Story Warren website, I found that I had inadvertently written a half page about our friendship and how much she meant to me! Alas, I had to start from scratch, and remember to review the book, not the author!

Before I introduce you to this book, I want you to get to know Théa, and you can do so in and amongst the pages of her corner of the internet, Little Book Big Story, where she winsomely writes children’s book reviews and shares glimpses into her life with her husband and four daughters. We have been friends ever since our eldest girls were crawling and learning to walk. Fourteen years later, we no longer discuss birth stories and the latest in diapering accessories. That was necessary back then, but our roots have grown deeper and usually our conversations take a deep dive into our life journeys, joys, struggles, adventures in motherhood, reading, writing, music, things we are learning about our gentle Savior, and the way He continues to transform us.

I’m holding out to you a gift today.

It is a gift because when received, it has the possibility of forming hearts and minds, developing imagination, and creating a greater capacity for one’s mind to be expanded like a hot air balloon which can carry one away to behold new glorious life-enriching vistas.

There is a movement happening among our generation. It is a reading movement with a catchphrase… a leitmotif. The clarion call is for “truth, beauty, and goodness”. I hear this catchphrase so much in the books I read, the communities I’m a part of, and the podcasts I listen to, that when I hear it, it is a sign to stop and pay attention. It is a symbol that wakes one up to the reality that there are others among us who also hold to these values - values that come from the heart of God, the Creator of truth, beauty, and goodness. I call Him: my “gentle Jesus”.

Truth: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Beauty: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7

Goodness: Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. Psalm 25:8

What is your reading journey like? Have you looked into your past to see which books have shaped you and are forming you into the person you are today? The reading life is a powerful life of formation.

“A woman who reads is a woman who knows she must act: in courage, in creativity, in kindness, and often in defiance of the darkness around her. She understands that life itself is a story and that she has the power to shape her corner of the drama.” -Sarah Clarkson, Book Girl

Please join me on Story Warren, as I introduce to my readers Wild Things and Castles in the Sky: A Guide to Choosing the Best Books for Children by Leslie Bustard, Théa Rosenburg, and Carey Bustard, where truth, beauty, and goodness are whispered on every page, and every page prepares our hearts and minds for the inspiring journey of reading with children.

The sun is rising, and I have so much more to say, but I’m closing my computer now to go outside and quietly watch the dawning of a new day over the eastern sky… because The Story is still unfolding each and every day.

Featured on Story Warren: A Book Review: Wild Things & Castles in the Sky

Searching the Word

In like a lion, and out like a lamb. This spring time proverb does not ring true this year. The lion has decided to stay. The snow is falling sideways today as winter makes one last triumphant crescendo across the Cascade mountain range. Winter is tired, yet makes its last moments of fortitude known as a conquered foe who rages with one last cry before its reign ends in certain finality and succumbs to its victor, Spring.

I am preparing for our spring bible study at church.

Where do we start when we are teaching others how to study the Bible? One of the first questions might be: what is the Bible? What does the word “bible” mean? What did the Bible look like during the time period of the early Church when Jews, Greeks, Romans, north Africans, were first hearing the wonderful news that Jesus was truly the long-awaited Savior, and churches were being formed as new converts believed and were baptized?

Getting serious about the Bible, God’s Word, is life-changing, and at times, creates more questions in our hearts than we would prefer. It has caused me, personally, to go through seasons of deep questioning, challenging preconceived ideas about the Bible and about God, and wrestling with my own faith.

More than a decade ago, a friend was visiting my home. This was a regularly scheduled coffee visit, talking about faith, theology, church history and missions. We usually met in a coffee shop near my home, where I would drink coffee and she would drink water! Something I said caused her to question something she had always assumed in her understanding of theology. She didn’t talk much about it. Years later, she shared with me that for the next two years after that conversation, she went through one of the most difficult seasons of her life as she wrestled with theology and doctrine, searching the Scriptures to work out her understanding, studying, and asking questions of her pastor. God carried her through that time. After pursuing a Masters in Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada, she is now creating the Bible curriculum for a Christian school and teaching hundreds of young people about the Bible.

The writer to the Hebrews, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote these ancient words:

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 


As I prepare for our women’s Bible study, Search the Word, there are so many things I want to share here: my own story of a season of doubt and recovery (its complicated and beautiful), beautiful songs about Scripture, and links to resources to help whomever is reading and needs to hear this, see this, and grow on their journey of following Jesus of Nazareth.

I don’t know who will read these posts. But its out there for the Holy Spirit to use as He pleases. God created fantastic galaxies full of the brightest and most majestic stars and planets that will never be seen by a human eye, and yet, it still brings Him glory. May these words bring Him glory and delight His heart.

Incarnation, Mount Doom, and Dusting Off the Front Porch of my Writing Home

Hello!

It has been quite a long while since I have written in this space. I have dearly missed it, but it was for a purpose. I was intentionally absent from writing here for an undetermined amount of time, while like a ship on the open ocean, I turned my attention full steam ahead to helping lay the foundations of a church plant alongside my husband. I have still been writing, but my writing has been focused on sending church plant updates to our prayer and support team, sending news of what God is doing through their prayers, encouragement, and support. So many people are involved in this work in various ways. For us, our role is on the front lines, and as such, we are reporting the answers to prayer, the changes in people’s lives, the work Jesus is doing, and the way the gospel is forming a people for God’s glory and kingdom here. It is a specific type of church ministry, and one that we would not recommend people get into unless they absolutely feel called by our loving Lord Jesus. In fact, recruiting for the adventure of church planting can be summarized in a quote by J.R.R. Tolkien:

“I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone.' I should think so — in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!” -JRR Tolkien, The Hobbit

I jest!

A winter storm is looming over the western horizon this week. surging over the mountain range, sending fierce gusts down through the hills of sagebrush and wildflowers. I sit with my favorite Mexican blanket wrapped snug around me in our “bear den”, slowly sipping a third cup of coffee, listening to the wind shaking the glass doors of our fireplace, and the faithful hum of the dryer machine tumbling clothes. Like the unfurling of a thousand magnolia petals in spring, this writing home peeks into the open and considers whether it is time to awake.

I am reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy aloud to my children. We are in the third volume, The Return of the King (my second time reading through the entire trilogy). We are nearing the end. I was reading the chapter called  Mount Doom. The kids prepared their mugs of hot tea. One was working on homework, one snuggled under a blanket, and two drawing and painting with watercolors. I had lit two candles. My heart was full. 

It was the climax of the entire 1008 page story. Perhaps I had too much coffee to drink that morning, or perhaps its middle age, but for some reason… I was moved to tears. Sam and Frodo were nearing the moment that would affect the entire course of history in Middle Earth and determine its fate forever. Frodo couldn’t go on, and his will was bending to the desires of the power of Mordor. Sam was determined. He would not let his friend give up. Sam realized this was the very purpose for which he had come. He finally knew his calling, and his mind was set to help Frodo finish his quest. In fact… “He felt no longer either desire or need of sleep, but rather of watchfulness.”

Watchfulness. 

As Frodo struggled on against all probability of a successful mission, an epiphany was happening within Sam. He knew Frodo was destined to the task of destroying the one ring and that he couldn’t fulfill Frodo’s destiny in his place. And yet, Frodo couldn’t do this alone. It is here we see Sam embrace his own calling, which was to practice the discipline of incarnation. 

“Come, Mr. Frodo!' he cried. 'I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you.”

Last week, our Bible study group was discussing the incarnating work that Christ performed in various places in the gospel narratives. His display of compassion in these accounts transformed specific people’s lives, and through being included in the canon of Scripture, has transformed even the world. He taught his disciples how to incarnate into people’s lives.

What is incarnation? In his book, Compassion - Person of Jesus: A Study of Love, Paul E. Miller says,

“Incarnation seeks to go inside of others to find out what their needs are, as opposed to standing on the outside and helping them. When I incarnate with you, I slow down and think about your world. No one can help me think more clearly about your world than you.” (pg 114)

In many ways, we see Frodo as a picture of Christ. But we can also see Christ in the role of Sam as he takes on the example of the Good Samaritan who carried the beaten man back into life by providing for his physical and financial needs which then restored his very life. In the same way, Good “Sam”aritan carried Frodo into life by incarnating with him and literally taking on Frodo’s burden to save the world. This is as much a story about Sam as it is of Frodo.

“…Sam staggered to his feet; and then to his amazement he felt the burden light.”

Perhaps I was stirred because in this moment, I see two parallels. First, as a church planting wife, I see myself in the role of Sam at times. I am not called to the task of being a church planting pastor, but I am called to being a church planter’s wife. I am not called to carry all the responsibilities that come with being a Shepherd of a congregation, but I am called to be his helper. I am not called to know everyone’s journey in our congregation, but for those who share with me their stories, I hold those stories very carefully. As a pastor’s wife, I can’t carry my husband’s specific tasks for him, but I can carry him by loving him in a myriad of ways. Perhaps at times, I have been fearful of how to step into this role, but once embraced, the burden feels at times light, as if maybe Jesus really meant it when he said, 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Here we come to the second parallel. The task that I am called to feels surprisingly light, once embraced, because the Lord is the one who strengthens me with his power, equips me through the Holy Spirit and his Word, and fully and totally completes the work that He has started (Philippians 1:6). Like John the Baptist, I can say, “I am not the Christ.” I don’t have to have all the answers, because Jesus does. He is the one who swept in and stepped in between us and our Enemy, and rescued us.

Jesus carries us across the finish line, because we are too weak to do this work in our own strength. He is strong. Each of God’s children is called to a task, or a quest, if you will. But it is God’s strength that carries us and enables us to finish the course he has prepared for us… and when embraced, to our amazement, we, too, feel the burden light because He is holding us.

What caused a few tears to fall while I read to my children? Perhaps I was stirred in that moment because of the simple human need to carry and to be carried, to incarnate and be incarnated with, to rescue and be rescued.