One of my favorite scenes from the movie, “The Hobbit,” based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel, is when Gandalf attempts to persuade Bilbo to embark on a journey to a far away mountain inhabited by a dragon. As Bilbo nervously considers the risks involved, Gandalf confronts him, “Tell me, when did doilies and your mother’s dishes became so important to you? … The world is not in your books and maps. It’s out there.” Gandalf remembers the adventurous boy Bilbo once was and calls forth that boy who would have gladly left home to discover the world.

HAVING A HEART OF ADVENTURE 

This scene depicts the situation many of us find ourselves in. Like Bilbo, we were made with a desire for adventure. We grew up admiring the heroes who took daring risks in the movies we watched and the books we read.

Now that we are older, we hope to live our own adventures. Many of us dream of— as in Luke 4:18-19 — “to proclaim good news to the poor, … proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed…” We dream of spending our lives impacting the world for Jesus, regardless of what it costs us.

However, our hearts can become just as attached to comfort and security as Bilbo’s became to doilies and dishes.
 

ESCAPING A LIFE OF COMFORT 

Before I go on, I want to make a few brief clarifications. For many of us in the United States, the safety and comfort we have always known is a tremendous blessing, and we ought to be grateful. I don’t mean to say these things are inherently bad, I only want to warn us not to treasure these gifts above the giver.

Second, it may be easier for some of us to bow at the throne of adventure than the throne of comfort. It’s no use giving up one only to turn to the other. The answer lies not in the pursuit of danger or adventure, but in pursuing Jesus regardless of the risks and inconveniences that are involved. The question is where do my allegiances lie — with Jesus or with a lifestyle of ease?

A missiologist named Alan Hirsch said, “The ideals of the middle class consumerist are safety, security comfort and convenience.” These ideals are enticing and are rooted with a tremendous depth and power in the American conscience. I’m convinced that if we let them control us, we will be safe and comfortable, but also rendered ineffective for the story God is calling us into.

God’s story demands us to take risks and promises us suffering. But he also promises that he will be with us and that we will find life abundantly. According to Romans 8:18 the cost will pale in comparison to the reward.