“I wish it need not have happened in my time.”
“So do I and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
I have seen a lot of suffering lately. It seems to be springing up all around me, including in people very dear to me. There are diverse causes, and to some extent it doesn’t really matter what they are. Yes, some of the suffering has been preventable—either by the people themselves, or by others. But much of it, like the times in which we live, has not been a matter for them or us to decide.
To some extent this is the case in human life. There is always high drama and high stakes. Yet there are certain times that deserve the denomination ‘such times’—the kind you generally would not choose, where circumstances especially threaten the real human good and so demand more of each of us.
Lack of vision and integrity in leaders, predatory behavior, social habits that ensnare and maim, revered institutions gone bad, friendships imploding, technologies that suffocate, isolation turning into alienation, political upheaval and economic woes. Sicknesses that seem to come out of nowhere. And so for many, happiness overwhelmed, innocence lost, hope undermined. Even and especially among the young.
It is fitting to recognize that we live in ‘such times.’ But then what? We will face various temptations: hand-wringing; why-me-ing; finger-pointing; fear mongering; moping; complaining; despairing.
What is really given to us, however—at risk of sounding trite—is the gift of a lifetime. Right now. The chance to rise to the occasion, and to decide, ‘what to do with the time that is given to us.’
Later in Tolkien’s book, another character Sam returns to the same key theme, reflecting on the heroes of the stories of old who found themselves in very bad circumstances. “Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually—their paths were laid that way… But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn’t.”
Perhaps one good answer to the question ‘what to do’ is simply not to turn back. Turning back can take different forms—there are many faces of ‘giving up.’
Sam notes that the heroes in the stories “just went on—and not all to a good end, mind you: at least not what folk inside a story and not outside it call a good end.”
Ah! What does it take to see that the best of endings might not look, from here, like a good ending! Our simple perseverance in fidelity, with the best cheer we can muster, can be part and parcel of an ending that is good beyond our imagining.
And indeed, as Sam concludes, “Don’t the great tales never end?”
~ ~ ~
Recently we have been rereading Lord of the Rings as a family. It has been a signal blessing, providing us with powerful images of good and evil, and so also lending occasion to reflect upon both.
Speaking of reading out loud together… here is a short video from my Concepts Made Clear series on Leisure:
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Excellent reflection and much needed!! It’s so easy to get discouraged and fall into despair. I’m seeing it everywhere myself. This post reminds me, however, of the story of Queen Esther and the much quoted verse from Esther 4:14 “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Indeed God has a noble purpose for all of us to be living in this period of time. Your summary statement says it all–perseverance with fidelity with the best cheer we can muster. Amen! Thank you, John.
You are welcome, Karen. And as far as I’m concerned, you can’t quote Esther too often!
Such a great article! Thank you for this reminder to “seize the day” and rise to occasion! Only one lifetime……
Only one indeed! Thanks Elizabeth.
I just heard a talk on this topic that completely transformed the way I think of ‘such times.’ The incarnation happened during ‘such times.’ Judea was subject to the Roman Empire, which was ruled by an Emperor that proclaimed that he was a god. The Jews were terribly divided into factions that hated each other just about as much as they hated the Romans. Pagan cults that worshipped demons abounded. And Jesus took all these times in and said to His disciples, “Behold, the fields are ripe with the harvest.”
The point the speaker made was that it is in times such as this that God moves most powerfully. This is harvest time. Are we battening down the hatches to protect ourselves and our families? Or are we sharpening our scythes and clearing our threshing floors in preparation for the harvest? We should be filled with the joyful hope that rests in the reality that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. It’s just that God frequently moves in silent and hidden ways, whereas the devil has a marketing department.
God is the author of creation, and ‘such times’ have the makings of a great third act.
So well said, Nathan. Sharpening scythes for the harvest–that’s a great image!
Thank you for this and your other weekly reflections. I always enjoy reading them and pondering what you present.
Tolkien gives his readers not only a powerful example of perseverance in Frodo and Sam, but also one of a good man despairing and “turning back” in Denithor.
Ah yes; I had forgotten about Denithor. We’ll be coming to that part soon enough–I’ll be looking out for it. Thanks Stephen.
Ah, Dr. Cuddeback, what a timely post! Coincidentally, I just started reading Lord of the Rings as well, for the first time. I would say the joy and excitement of great literature is certainly a balm during times “such as these.” God bless you and the family!
Enjoy it Adam. There really isn’t anything quite like it. God bless you too.
Modern American life can cause overwhelming despair. I find some solace in two places. As Queen Esther was counseled “you were made for such a time as this”, and our purpose, not matter what the era, is to know, love, and serve God and to be happy with Him forever in heaven (Baltimore Catechism #1).
Yet, I struggle with frustration and anger at “my plans gone awry”. It feels like my voice is muted in the public square, and I risk basic freedoms by simply speaking an opinion that opposes current political leaders (will I be doxed?
Audited? Will my husband lose his admin job at this university?) The challenge, also as always, is to set aside our desires and live God’s will for us. Please keep praying for all your readers!
Teresa, I hear you! We are certainly in this together, and I earnestly hold you all in prayer, and ask for the same.
Thank you. This is just what I needed today.
I’m so grateful to hear that, Michele.
The Baker’s Dozen.
(Living in Times You Did Not Choose) Yes,
something
like walking on water
to Jesus,
in a big storm;
I got to keep
my eyes on Jesus,
or else I start sinking
into
“stinking thinking”.
Another amazing image. Walking on water with your eyes on the Lord.
Thank you Dr. Cuddeback for the timely reminder!
In addition to what others have pointed to about Jesus’ time being ripe for the harvest we can also remember what Jesus suffered in His own person as St. Bridget of Sweden records in the Magnificent Prayers given to her by Our Lord:
“Remember all the fear, anguish and pain that Thou didst suffer in Thy delicate Body before the torment of the Crucifixion, when, after having prayed three times, bathed in a sweat of blood, Thou wast betrayed by Judas, Thy disciple, arrested by the people of a nation Thou hadst chosen and elevated, accused by false witnesses, unjustly judged by three judges during the flower of Thy youth and during the solemn Paschal season.”
Sean, What an appropriate reflection! What Our Lord suffered truly does shed a whole new light. Thank you.
I live in Oregon where all street drugs are legal and police are defunded. You can see how thats working. Times I did not choose indeed.
I also love Tolkien and your article was just what I needed to read. I have a Tolkien quote on my bookmark that reads ‘There is some good in this world and it is worth fighting for.’ True that.
Amen, Francis, it is indeed worth fighting for. May more sound reasoning return to your beautiful state–which I have never had the pleasure of seeing in person.
Thank you for this thought-provoking piece. From my youth I often pondered why I was not born in the time of our Lord. I wondered that they indeed had a fundamental life choice that they were blessed (cursed?) to face. Why only them? Your piece hits that directly and, indeed points us to the reality that we all face a similar fundamental choice in our lives at one time or another. Once we come to accept that we can begin to prepare ourselves to face that choice.
Paul, I really appreciate what you express here; I think you’ve captured a very beautiful aspect of our challenge and blessing. Thank you.
30+ years ago while re-reading Tolkien’s trilogy, I took a pen and drew a box around that very exchange between Gandalf and Frodo. My book is now yellowed and brittle, but the words are fresher than ever. Thanks for placing them before us again in your thoughtful piece.
David, That’s funny. I first read it with my wife 27 years ago. And these words jumped out at us too. Thanks.