Boromir Is A Hero's Journey

This past couple of months I have been pondering on J. R. Tolkens understanding of sin in relation to how we understand heroes; specifically one particular hero from The Lord of the Rings, Boromir. Boromir often in our minds is not a hero but a failure because he fails to uphold his promise to protect the ringbearer Frodo. Instead, as fans of the books and movies know, he tries to take the ring and though he does not succeed he shortly ends up dying. Generally, we miss Tolken’s deep theology of sin because we are caught up in Boromir’s betrayal and then we too quickly move on with the story discarding Boromir to our emotional judgments. Boromir in my mind is one of the greatest theological literary characters when it comes to understanding

This semester has been one of many lessons and many failures. God has been laying on me the need to reexamine my desires, ambitions, and identity. Christ call on my life has been impossibly hard for this sinner submit to. God has revealed to me how many idols I have created. As D.L. Moody said, “I have had more trouble with myself than with any other man.” I have been called to seminary and life in Illinois to show me how much I need Christ in my weakness and insecurities. I have had sleepless nights, loss of friends, depression, hopeless moments, loss of intimacy, and the list could go on. However, awful this may sound they are nothing in light of Christ and I would rather learn to bear these crosses in Christ so that he can come and heal and be the Glorious light in my darkness.

Christ is greater! Again, Christ is greater. I have made it this far by the grace of God. I was talking to a friend this week and they said that they have mad respect for me. I’m grateful for this friend but I cannot even claim this life as something that I have achieved. Christ has carried me through every mile of the journey. So I will continue to be faithful, which means I proclaim and follow Christ in my own life to myself and to others so that long after Christ has called me away they may still be found in

It allows me to persevere when I don’t want to sit in the church office and prepare lessons or love students. It allows me to continue by faith my calling to be a seminary student and study and write. I could go on. This hope has changed how I live and work because it calls me to Christ and to live righteously in Him knowing that more is yet to come.

I am weak and in need of much prayer and encouragement in Christ. The front lines of serving Christ are filled with hardships and attacks from the devil but Christ is worth it. Thank you for your continued concern for my well being. You are beautiful church and you love me I know because Christ first loved you so thank you and you are deeply missed.

I will finish with one more thought that might encourage you as you follow Christ. In C. S. Lewis, Prince Caspian, Lucy notices that Aslan is bigger than she remembered him to be. “Aslan" said Lucy "you're bigger". "That is because you are older, little one" answered he. "Not because you are?" "I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger".” I find Lewis’ understanding of God to be so true and exciting. As we continue to grow in Christ he will become a bigger and bigger part of our lives.