Concerning Hobbits, Fellowships and the Art of Self-Discipline

After completing what has become a yearly ritual of watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy - extended versions, naturally - I found my head filled with a swirl of thoughts about hobbits, friendship and loyalty, and a great deal of introspection regarding my own character (most notably, the areas in which I am severely deficient).

Ever since learning of the deep friendship that existed between author J.R.R. Tolkien and author/Christian apologist Clive Staples Lewis, it has never failed to bring a smile to my face when I think of the two of them laughing together, debating each other, challenging one another and encouraging each other.  Both were members of The Inklings, a literary discussion group associated with the University at Oxford where members often read and discussed their unfinished works (Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis's Out of the Silent Planet being among the first novels read to the group).  If I ever get my hands on a time machine, one of my many stops will be Magdalen College during the 1930s, where the group often met in C.S. Lewis's room.  Though, regrettably, I will also have to don my invisibility cloak to sneak into one of their meetings, as all the members were male.

For my part, I will be eternally grateful to Mr. Tolkien for pointing his close friend, C.S. Lewis to the truth of Christianity.  My unbidden smile is, in large part, due to the anticipation of meeting them both one day in heaven, but it is also borne out of the intellectual ferocity of these two men which, at times, put them at odds with each other -- after reading Lewis's draft of The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, for instance, Tolkien was most critical of Lewis's juxtaposition of what Tolkien deemed the realities of this world (i.e., Father Christmas) with a pure "fantasy" world.  Again, just my humble opinion here, but it would seem the Chronicles of Narnia have done quite well for themselves over the decades, despite the alleged literary foible by my beloved C.S. Lewis. 

And while Tolkien strenuously objected to people's attempts to find allegorical meaning in his novels, it is with all due respect and a preemptive plea for his forgiveness that I engage in just such a task.  Fellowship, loyalty, love and self-discipline, all are qualities that shine ever so brightly in both Tolkien's written work and his own life.  He knew the absolute necessity of friendship.  And it is certain that his most famous published work (if it had made it to publication at all without the support and encouragement of his friends) would have had a drastically different ending if not for the bonds of friendship and loyalty between the characters in his book.  For now at least it is a question without answer, but I often wonder if Proverbs 27:17 went through Tolkien's mind during the long hours writing and creating the intricate world of Middle Earth.

It is a treasure beyond value, that friendship which both loves and sharpens as iron sharpens iron.  To have a friend who will speak the truth in love is a rarity - dare I say they are fast becoming an endangered species - and accept you nevertheless, just as you are.  Successes and failures, warts and all.  And yet, we were created for fellowship and for community.  True fellowship that goes beyond surface pleasantries and the knee-jerk "I'm fine" response to what may or may not be a rhetorical "How are you doing?" question.  Frodo really wouldn't have gotten far without Sam - and neither will we without having the courage to engage each other on the "tough" issues, the willingness to have someone or someones in our life who will hold us accountable, and the ability to drop the facade and trust that our friend will love us no matter how many skeletons are crammed into our closets.

Self-discipline is hard.  I assume that's 1) why it is called "discipline" and 2) why the Bible lists self-control/discipline as a fruit of God's Spirit that we will evidence more and more as we grow in the knowledge and grace of our Savior and become more and more like Christ.   The continued attempt to do life on our own - to hide the most intimate parts of ourselves - ends in frustration, pain, failure and loneliness, which is what happens when the creation rebels against one of the very things for which it was created.  Begging your pardon for the "graphic" example, but imagine trying to use a toilet for a shower and a shower for a toilet - inevitably, you will end up with a wonderfully disgusting mess and, well, you will literally stink.

Ahh, those pesky character flaws of mine ... why is it easier to watch hours of television than to spend 10, 15 or 30 minutes reading my Bible?  Why do I spend far too much time engaged in pointless and meaningless activity that has absolutely no eternal significance and yet find it difficult to sustain a consistent prayer life?  These are not new questions - certainly I am not the first to ask them, to struggle with them, and to rail against the sin nature that "makes" me do the things I know I shouldn't do.  Paul actually struggled with the same things, albeit in a society without televisions, cell phones, internet, gaming, etc.:

For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?   Romans 7:15a-24 (The Message)

There is hope, as Paul says in verse 25: "The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different."  Jesus is the hope that sustains us, works in and through us, and loves us perfectly.  In his mercy -- in fact, from the very first man when God determined that His creation was not complete, as it was "not good for man to be alone" -- God created us for companionship.  With GOD himself first and foremost, and also with others.  I don't think the words from Genesis regarding companionship were limited to the union of a man and a woman - we need each other, "as iron sharpens iron."  We need to be in community, and we need friendships/fellowships with others will who will love us, encourage us, confront us when necessary, and carry us when we are too weak to go on.  Like Frodo, we all need our "Sams."