A Welcome Intrusion (blog)

We're watching so many movies here at my house these days and just finished the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogies. Our challenge each weekend is to find something that appeals to all members of the family, which usually ends up being a sci-fi or adventure film. Do you remember the scene in the first Hobbit movie (An Unexpected Journey), where Bilbo Baggins is running along the Shire road like his feet are on fire, trying to catch up with the company of dwarves, and someone asks him where he's going? "I'm going on an adventure!" Bilbo shouts, without looking back. The very idea of venturing out into the wider world was offensive to Bilbo at first, an intrusion. That scene where Hobbit first meets wizard is magical. Bilbo sits on a little bench outside of his cozy house, puffing smoke from his pipe into circles in the sky. Gandalf (later named "Disturber of the Peace" by the other Hobbits) walks by and, after an amusing exchange with Bilbo about exactly why the morning is a good one, reveals the reason for his visit..."I'm looking for someone to go on an adventure with me," Gandalf says, eyes widening. "An adventure?" Bilbo begs pardon. "...nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things...make you late for dinner!" With great haste he declines and retreats into the safety of his Hobbit house. There are more intrusions, as the company of adventurous dwarves show up at the Hobbit home unexpectedly later that night, interrupting Bilbo's quiet dinner by the warm hearth. They eat all of the food in his pantry, make a mess of the house, use his doilies as napkins, and then have the audacity to try to recruit him to help steal from a fire-breathing dragon. Bilbo refuses...at least at first. What changes his mind?  What ignites his passion for this adventure?  What sets his feet on fire the next morning? Whatever it is, it opens Bilbo up to the kind of experiences and deep, meaningful relationships that you can only have on adventures and that change you forever. I'm reading in Acts, about the events on Pentecost that sparked a whole new adventure for the Apostles on their epic journey:"...they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." (Acts 2:1-4) I imagine the crowd of people outside thronging the streets of Jerusalem were lost in their own individual thoughts, engaged in conversation or conducting business transactions when suddenly they heard the "wonders of God" (Acts 2:11) being declared in their diverse native languages. "Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, 'What does this mean?'" (Acts 2:12) Some laughed at the Apostles, believing that they were drunk. Others welcomed the unexpected intrusion into their day (or at least were curious) and listened carefully as Peter explained, in great detail and by quoting prophecy, how Jesus Christ died on the Cross for their sins, was resurrected, and is now exalted at the right hand of God: "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36) The crowd's response astonishes me: "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'  Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:37-39) They listened, believed and joined in the adventure.  That unexpected intrusion changed their lives forever.  Three thousand people repented and were baptized.  Forgiven and saved by the body and blood of Jesus, they embarked on a new life journey with him which opened them up to amazing experiences and deep, meaningful relationships. Peter's mention of the "far off" people who the Lord would call reminds me of Gandalf's visit to Bilbo at the Hobbit house in the Shire Woods, a distant, little-known corner of the wider world. God's call is a kind of intrusion (if you will) into our lives. We may not immediately welcome it because it's disturbing and uncomfortable. It challenges the way we think about ourselves and urges us to change our ways.  It asks us to let go of all other things that bring us security. It requires us to put our full trust in Jesus and to journey forward with him into unknown country. Arrival at our destination is sure, but there will be unexpected adventures along the way. Isn't it astonishing that we've answered God's call? And more and more of us each day.  What changed our minds? What ignited our passion for this adventure and lit our feet on fire? Surely the awesome power of God's Word, of His love for us in Jesus and of His Holy Spirit! There's a wider world out there beyond our books and armchairs and gardens, and all of the other comforts of home. There is a larger story, an unseen reality, and we're a part of it. There are dark forces, displaced people and a quest to help regain what was lost.  There is a Kingdom and a hero King leading and empowering us (our Lord, Jesus!). As in any good epic adventure, the ultimate victory is assured and in fact has already been secured! We are called to do brave things on this journey, like pausing at our mailbox to talk with neighbors across the street, inviting them over for dinner (once the pandemic ends), listening to their stories and opening ourselves up to let them see how Jesus' love and forgiveness have changed us completely. I'm excited to be on this journey with you! We are in this epic adventure together and it's good to have you by my side, especially with all that's going on in the world right now. I'm eager to be with you again in person, but until then you're all welcome to intrude upon my house each Sunday morning at 9:30 via Zoom (email shlc@shlc.net for the link to worship with us). I can't wait to see your faces again on the screen (at least those of you brave enough to turn your cameras on).