I tend to see movies later than most folks. I recently borrowed the extended edition of Lord of the Rings from a friend. I had seen the movies, but not the director’s cuts. They were much better than their short counterparts.

I watched them very intentionally, that is, I was looking for themes and sub plots which I may not have caught when watching the original releases. As I was finishing up Return of the King there were a couple of scenes that really stirred me.

Frodo and Sam are climbing the secret way into Mordor and they stop to rest. They realize the food is running low. Sam says to himself, “There should be just enough.” It peaks Frodo’s curiosity, “Enough for what, Sam?” Surprised, Sam replies, “For the road home Mr. Frodo.” It’s a moment of hope in the face of crushing odds.

But later, as the pair finally reaches mount Doom, Frodo is fading quickly. Sam offers him the last of his water. “I don’t think there’s going to be enough for the trip home, Sam.” says Frodo. “I don’t think we’ll be going home.” Sam has finally embraced that their task will consume them. All seems at an end.

Here’s what stirred me. I, you, all of us to varying extents, we live life as though we’re going to have a return journey, as though there’s a road home. But that’s folly. This life is one way. In a very real sense we can never go back again. But we gather stuff and we hold onto memory and regret and burdens as though we will need them again someday, as though we don’t want to be caught without them when we come back around. But we never will.

Yet, as a follower of Jesus, something changes. I find out this world I’m journeying though is not what it should be. Even more, I found out there’s another city to which I belong, and a lasting city. In following Jesus, I really am on the road home after all…to the home I’ve always longed for and never could seem to find.

So that’s what this blog is about, that which happens on the road home.