Autonomy?

Literature is a gift. Of course when we think of the gift of literature we think of the writing of literature, the creativity of literature and the intellectual abilities that it takes to put a piece of quality literature together. Who can forget the times in our lives though when a story, a poem, or a novel touched us in profound ways. That also is a gift of God. C. H. Spurgeon, the great 18th century theologian and preacher has said that he read Pilgrim's Progress every year of his adult life, C. S. Lewis read George McDonald stories over and over, and other greats have had their stories that they returned to over and over again. This has also been a gift of mine as well. I return time after time, and over and over again to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, in novel form and movie form. What a gift to be able to re-read, re-digest, and learn new things at every new exposure. Only special types of literature do that. I say all that because once again I have learned something new from Gandalf and Company.

There is a scene in the movie, and it is exactly the same in the book, where Frodo is pleading with Gandalf to take the ring of power. Frodo doesn't want it, he knows that the deceiver is plotting the return of the ring for his possession, and so he suggests that Gandalf take it, who is he, Frodo, but a measly ole Hobbit. Gandalf, very gently at first, says to Frodo, "I cannot take the ring." But as Frodo continues to beg him to take it, he gets more agitated and firm and says to Frodo, "I cannot take the ring, do not tempt me Frodo. I would use the ring under the guise of doing good, but through me it would wield something terrible." I was thinking about that exchange this morning under the category of sovereignty, or being personally autonomous. We as humans are always trying to make believe, pretend, and live as if we are completely autonomous. As Christians we know we aren't, but don't we try to live that way anyway? Thinking we can do it our way life will be so much better than God's. We after all have a better handle on our lives than God does. God is creator, that means He made us and He owns us.

We all struggle with the idea of His absolute sovereignty, His Lordship, His ownership. We hit those moments when we think we know better. But the fact remains that if God granted us more power we in our sinfulness would "wield a power through me that would be terrible." How much do we underestimate our sinful hearts, redeemed yes, but sin has entered into all areas of our lives, and we will not be rid of it until Glory. It is by God's grace that He limits our power over our lives! There is not one gift that we would use, no power, or tool, or ability, or authority that we would not be inclined to distort and abuse. Our personal autonomy, being a misnomer anyway, is also something we wouldn't want even if we attained it. Gandalf has once again illustrated a magnificent truth that paints a picture of veracity for us to gaze and meditate on. Thank you Mr. Tolkein. Can't wait to sit with you on the banks of the Jordan one day, and speak of Elves, Hobbits, and Ents. Where did the Ent wives go anyway?