A good fantasy story often captures something about life that we would miss unless we entered into another world.
I used to think fantasy stories were strange. Honestly, I still do…and there is good reason to think that. Orcs, wizards, and animals that talk are otherworldy to us. When we dive in and immerse ourselves in the strange, new world of a good story we forget our own world for a few minutes…and it frees us up to see our world in a way we often miss. Good stories will do that for us.
One of my favorite parts of the Lord of the Rings books is how the characters become friends, a “fellowship.” Different people from a variety of backgrounds are forced together because they have a common foe and a compelling mission. Yes, I admit it is strange to read about Elves and Hobbits and Dwarves coming together to fight a battle, but what isn’t strange is the truth that is describes.
Here is the truth: real friendship, real fellowship do not come through merely spending some time together (as good as that is!). Real friendship and deep fellowship come through sharing a common and compelling mission. Getting in the trenches together. Fighting unwinnable battles. Facing insurmountable odds to bring about something compelling and good.
That is wired into us. That is how we are formed. That is how Jesus invites us into fellowship with himself and each other. Jesus wants to be near us so he invites us into his mission.
And, somewhere along that path, we find our closest friends have been with us the entire time.
But, ultimately, it is not enough just to find friends- even deep friends, heart friends, life long friends. As a friend reminded me yesterday, we long for friendship with the Ultimate Friend. We need heart connectedness with the God who made us and invites us into his friendship. And, like human fellowship, fellowship with God comes through time with him, walking with him, and sharing a common, compelling purpose. But, that, I’ll have to blog about more another day…
John 15:15: “I [Jesus] no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
Philippians 3:10: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…”