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With their arrival, the very air changed around them: “for morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed.” As I read, my son’s eyes misted with tears. “Can you read those beautiful words again?” he asked. I did, and we talked about how we had assurance of the morning too. Although things appeared bleak, our Savior would return. Dawn would come. And Jesus would make all things new.

In this short article, Kathryn Butler, MD, talks about how her son struggled with faith during the COVID outbreak of 2020. Scripture kept him rooted, and J.R.R. Tolkien's writing gave him the perfect illustration to understand what grace, mercy, and the power of God can look like. In her article, she draws six major themes that reflect the goodness of God. You can read the full article by clicking --> here <--

1. Providence.  Insignificant actors conquer insurmountable odds. There is a greater power at work.

2. Sin. This is one that always stood out to me. Sméagol turns into Gollum when a corrupt fisherman turns toward, and embraces, the allure of sinful temptation. It changes him into a loathsome creature who, at the same time, is to be pitied. Thus is the power of sin. The character of the creature, Gollum, is the antithesis of the fishermen that Jesus called to follow him.

3. New Heavens and New Earth.  

" ... after the destruction of the Ring, a new age dawns, 'and all was healed and made good.' Such descriptions point to the new heavens and the new earth (Rev. 21:1-5)."

4. Repentance. This is the story of Boromir. He desires what is not his - the ring - and selfishly tries to wrest it from the one who is chosen to carry it. He eventually sees what this untoward desire is doing to him, repents, and dies a heroic death to preserve the quest he once tried to upend. 

5. Sacrificial Love. The tales are replete with heroic actions involving self-sacrifice.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13 ESV)

6. Return of the King

“Look! The king has got a crown again!” Frodo cries. “They cannot conquer forever!”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5 ESV)