"The rule of no realm is mine, neither of Gondor nor any other, great or small. But all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail of my task, though Gondor should perish, if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I also am a steward. Did you not know?"
And indeed, as we enter a new year seemingly dominated by fear, political injustice, cultural chaos, economic meltdown, and moral cowardice, must we not be inspired by JRR Tolkien's character and commit ourselves, with God's grace, to prayerfully care for "all worthy things that are in peril," those things of truth, beauty, and holiness "that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come?"
Now is not the time for Christians to hunker down and hide. Indeed, there never was nor ever will be such a time. No, our duties (which should also be seen as our glorious opportunities) are to consistently herald the truths of Scripture and to make sure that our personal lifestyles and relationships thoroughly reflect the same.
For we, like Gandalf and his fellow adventurers, are stewards.
"Did you not know?"
