Sunday, June 25, 2006

Glory

I think that deep down in all of us is a passion and desire for glory. As I sit here watching the last of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I am reminded once again what stirs in all of us. There are many classics that we read throughout our formal education. But what do we read to our children? We read books of glory such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, The Bridge. We love The Matrix, Braveheart, and Gladiator. Sam Houston grew up reading about the Napoleonic wars and our nation's founders were raised on the glory tales of Greek and Roman battles. We love to watch specials on TV about WWII. It holds our fascination unlike any other war in recent history. The Trojan war has been talked and read about for thousands of years.

We thrill to hear of bravery and glory of others. At some level, I bet most of us when reading Narnia and LTR longed to be a part of a great epic. To know what out destiny would have been and to know what kind of man (or woman) we really are. The glory of being part of something greater then oneself. Glory in being part of a great cause. To have been a rider of Rohan or a soldier of Gondor. We long be victorious and perform great against a certain evil. And somehow just sitting in an office day after day doesn't quite live up to our secret passions. We thought it would be different, we thought we would be righting the world. We feed on glory as a child and then laugh it off as an adult, but it is there. Somewhere, somehow is still the anxious expectation of a great resolution. It is coming and at certain magical moments it feels as if you could reach out and touch it. But the feeling fades and our busy lives soon convince us that tis but a dream. There is no glory left for us.

But wait still. There is a great resolution coming. There are whispers of a battle to come. The far corners of the earth cry out for justice. It is not a fairy tale. It may yet be a long way off, but a rider on a white horse is coming. He is coming to divide the righteous from the evil. He offers us a part of glory, where greatness awaits not in our glory, but in the greatest thing that is, a dance with our Creator. Glory awaits, and I will ride with Him someday.

4 comments:

The Once and Future TC said...

Did no one else just want to be a hobbit? ;)

Misplaced Texan said...

But the ultimate glory really does reside with the hobbit. Frodo fights off the dark relality of himself.

molly jean said...

Debbie
I enjoyed reading and seeing your pictures. I had already seen the pictures at your parent's house but they were good with your comments.

Even before I read your post about LOTR I was wanting to find out if you have read any Peter Kreeft? I just love what he says about language, beauty, LOTR ...


Molly

Misplaced Texan said...

Molly!!!
So glad you are reading my blog! No, I have never read any Kreeft. Any book titles come to mind?

So glad you enjoy the pictures. I am hoping to buy a good camera soon, so that I can take better pictures for you all. Mom had such a good time with you a few weeks ago. It is so nice to hear how you are doing.

Deborah