Is My Life a Movie? Part 2

Last year, my teammates traveled to two of our fields to take pictures and capture video. I stayed behind to look after things in Dallas. What follows is an essay I wrote detailing how I coped with this time in my life.

My team has left the building. While I stay in Dallas to wrap up projects and troubleshoot problems that arise, my teammates are traversing West Africa, taking pictures and recording video to help us better tell the story of what God is doing through His people there. When I was told, "Yes, the team is going, but you are staying," I was devastated. I had lived and worked in Africa for four years, and I wanted to go back and tie up some loose ends from my hasty departure. For a time I was upset, but God helped me to see that my staying was just as important as their going.
I tend to want to help people, especially close friends. I knew that my experiences would be a benefit to them on their journey. I was struggling with how I could help from afar when Adam shared a recent realization he'd had. He realized that life in America was like the Shire from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings", and that the trip to Africa would be like going into Mordor. I readily related to this analogy, but at first I was struck even harder. I had always resonated with Samwise Gamgee, the hobbit gardener who became Frodo's companion. Sam's goal was to help Frodo, and I felt my goal was to help my team by going with them.
A few days before my team was to leave, God gave me another application of the analogy. I could not be Sam for my team, so I realized I had to be Aragorn. Aragorn was just as committed to aiding Frodo in his quest, but after the attack of the Uruk-hai and the temptation of Boromir by the Ring, Aragorn knew that he could not go with Frodo to Mordor. Instead, he and the others in the broken Fellowship fought battles and rallied allies so that Frodo could complete his mission.
Realizing I was Aragorn freed me to accept my role of the one who stayed behind. I wasn't worthless to the team. If anything I was even more valuable to my team in making certain that our department was well-represented in their absence. As Aragorn's heroic assault on the Black Gate allowed Frodo to further penetrate Mordor, my work in Dallas allows my team to focus on their mission and not worry about problems here.
I still resonate with Samwise when possible, helping my team. That time will come when they return home. But for now, I am Aragorn, and though I am not with them, we are working together toward the same goal. Sharing God's love, and motivating others to do the same. I am proud to be a part of that mission, whether here in Dallas or traveling across the world.

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.