Is My Life a Movie? Part 1

When the Lord of the Rings movies were released, I was in Africa. When I had the opportunity to sit and watch them all, I was mesmerized. I loved the story, and I resonated with the characters. What follows is an essay I wrote describing how I relate to one character in particular.

I enjoy movies. I especially enjoy them when I resonate with one or more of the characters. From the first time I watched Star Wars, I was Luke Skywalker. I haven’t resonated at that level until the recent Lord of the Rings trilogy was released. Watching all three while serving as a missionary has helped me to resonate with Samwise Gamgee. In the evolution and development of Sam’s character I saw a model of how I was changing and developing as a support worker.

I saw first that it takes a team. Frodo is given a task, and slowly a team develops around him to help accomplish this task. The team starts with Sam. If there is no reason for Frodo to go, Sam stays in Hobbiton. He even marks the furthest distance from home he has traveled, and Frodo helps him cross that line. When Sam momentarily loses Frodo in the cornfield, he loses his purpose. When the fellowship is broken, Sam manages to stick with Frodo. Though the others indirectly help Frodo reach his goal, only Sam is there by his side, encouraging him to take another step. Translating the Bible takes a team. God assembles the team; I choose to serve the team with the abilities God gives me.

Throughout The Two Towers, Sam is continually worn down physically by the terrain and emotionally by the taunts of Gollum. I see in that the danger of losing focus and purpose through pride. Though Frodo would be wise to heed Sam’s cautions, Frodo sees the benefit to having a guide. Sam’s desire for the best for Frodo blinds him to the temporary good Gollum is doing. Sam’s soliloquy at the end shows he’s beginning to see the bigger picture and his place in it. I, too, must put aside my pride and choose to serve my team, even when I feel under attack.

The Return of the King is Sam’s finest hour, though at first he is forced to return home through Gollum’s trickery. He loses his purpose of helping Frodo and has no idea what to do. Until he finds the evidence of Gollum’s deceit, he is defeated. Afterward, he is charged up to go help Frodo. Often, the missionary is deceived or tricked and is tempted to give up. But keeping in touch with the Truth will keep our feet on the path.

Perhaps the most moving scene for me occurs in Mordor. Frodo is steadily weakening under the weight of the ring. He makes a valiant push, but he falls to the ground. Seeing his friend’s desire and pain, Sam screws up his courage, and with renewed strength, says, “Then let’s be rid of it! Come on Mr. Frodo. I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you!” He puts Frodo on his back and takes him to the entrance of Mount Doom. As a support worker, I can’t translate or preach in a foreign language, but I can motivate and encourage those who do. Or I can print books so the translator can spend more time translating and preaching.

Some may ask where my motivation and strength come from to encourage others. To know that I have helped my team solve their problems or have made their job easier is fuel to me, helping me to stay strong. If I find that I am not helping another through my efforts, I begin struggling to find purpose and direction. God chose to make me like that, so I strive to serve Him and my brothers in Christ with all of my abilities. That is my model of a support worker.