One way of dealing with brokenness is to stage a pity party.  At first it seems the natural reaction as you play the tune – poor me, I didn’t do anything wrong, I don’t deserve this.  It feels good to grovel around, until one begins to realize that no one else is listening and even God has become impatient.

Some people continue in that mode for years, living in the past, living in denial, refusing to get up and move on – driving everyone else away in the process.[i]  Others, like Joshua of old, hear God and yield to Him (see Part Four), finding their spirits revived and their focus renewed.  In those surrender-filled moments a new heart of unconditional commitment is born, not through personal strength and fortitude, but by the incredible work of the Holy Spirit. 

This is the kind of wholeheartedness that I am seeking to illustrate.  It arises out of brokenness and yieldedness.  It is a sincere, determined, and enthusiastic devotion, filled and energized by the Holy Spirit, which is the hallmark of this kind of heart.  It is whole and undivided, gifted by God (see Ezekiel 18:31, 36:26) and useful for His purposes.

So, arising from the ashes we move into the sunshine of this renewal experience to a place where our problems go away, right?  Healing and prosperity arrive.  Cell doors are opened.  Relationships are restored.  Or, not?  Of course, we must leave that to God’s choice as we depend upon His providence.  But, I am certain you would agree that circumstances have consequences and the nature of our destiny is in His hands – His plan for our lives.

I read a fair amount of fiction, classics and contemporary, and often find truth illustrated in powerful ways through the storyteller.  Of all the characters in literature, Samwise Gamgee, of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, is surely a favorite.  By himself, he makes it worth the long read, or the nine hours watching the films.  In many ways, Sam is really the ultimate hero of the story; the loyal one, the committed one, the faithful and true one. 

You probably know the story.  In the face of great opposition Sam unreservedly accompanies Frodo Baggins to the Land of Mordor to destroy the evil Ring.  When the way seems to mean his own death, he still steadfastly owns the mission to carry Frodo to the very end.

As the chronicle draws to a close, we find Frodo and Sam together.  The Ring has been destroyed and an explosive lava flow from Mount Doom is about to overwhelm them.  They sit on an island of rock, and an exhausted Frodo speaks.

Frodo: I can see the Shire.  The Brandywine River.  Bag End.  Gandalf’s fireworks.  The Lights of the Party Tree.
Sam: Rosie Cotton dancing.  She had ribbons in her hair.  If ever I were to marry someone, it would have been her.  [sobs] It would have been her. [begins to weep]
Frodo: I'm glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things. [resigned to their apparent deaths, Frodo leans over and hugs Sam].[2]

Sam has an undivided heart, totally devoted to his friend and mentor.  Each is destined to carry out his unique part in the deliverance of the world of Middle Earth, from the clutches of evil.  Frodo was meant to carry the Ring, and Sam was meant to go along with him as his defender and champion.  They wholeheartedly finished their assignment, as one, and lay battered and broken without complaint, to await their end.

Even though the Ring was gone and the mission accomplished, all hope that they would ever see home, The Shire, seemed lost.  There appeared to be no personal future; no expectation of rescue.  Notice also, no pity party.  Just two Little Guys[3] who have served their calling well, and who were ready for the end.  And then, at this moment of acceptance, deliverance shows up on the wings of the Eagles of Manwë.  It is a satisfying conclusion for the reader, which segues into a fulfilling finale.  But, If they had perished, would it have been any the less a deliverance?  Think about it.

We will look at this topic one last time in Part Six of this series on Followship.  There is another character we should consider; just a regular, wholehearted, real-life guy who stands above any found in fiction.  There is so much more that might be said about this part of the Kingdom Road, that I wish we were meeting over coffee, and could talk about it.  If you have comments, please feel free to enter them.