A Present Hope for the Lost and Weary

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo and his hobbit companions set out on a dangerous mission to carry the One Ring to Rivendell, desperately needing a faithful guide. Gandalf, a wise and trusted figure, cannot meet them himself, so he sends Aragorn, a weathered ranger with a mysterious air, to lead them. To help Frodo identify Aragorn, the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor, Gandalf shares a poem with these key lines: All that is gold does not glitter. Not all those who wander are lost. Aragorn’s journey shows us that wandering with purpose, yet rooted in His God-given identity, leads us to experience the presence of God in a powerful way.

In contrast, the Psalmist in Psalm 119:176 pours out his heart, recommitting to God’s Word but confessing, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep.” This is not purposeful wandering but a drifting from God’s path, a moment of feeling lost and disconnected. Sadly, the Christian life can feel at times isolating and aimless. How can we find hope when all hope seems lost? Join us this Sunday to find out!