In the days before we took our older daughter to college for the first time, we watched the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy as a family.
I’ve seen these movies several times. Various parts have touched my heart profoundly during different seasons of my life. If we were discussing films over coffee, I’d elaborate on all that. For now, though, I want to focus on my current favorite line from what is now my favorite movie of the three.
(If you’re not a LOTR fan, hang tight. There’s a universal application coming that I think you will appreciate, even if you have no interest in wizards, dwarves, elves and hobbits.)
The scene is near the end of the third movie, The Return of the King. Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins are within sight of Mount Doom, where Frodo will once and for all destroy the evil ring that has become such a burden to him.
The remaining way there is fraught with danger, and Frodo’s strength is nearly gone. He looks down at the all the orc campfires they still have to slip past somehow, he looks up at the Eye of Sauron that is sucking the life out of him, and he seems to lose heart completely.
Ever-faithful Samwise, on the other hand, isn’t about to give up—not when they’ve come this far and are so close to completing their arduous-and-world-saving task.
“Come on,” he urges Frodo. “Let’s just make it down the hill for starters.”
I don’t know that I ever noticed this line before, honestly. But when I heard those words, I knew had a motto for the Very Big Life Transitions that were looming on the horizon—as well as other uncertain situations we’ve found ourselves more recently.
“Let’s just make it down the hill for starters.”
It’s so tempting, when we’re faced with something that seems overwhelming, to want to have everything planned out. The bigger the task, the larger the challenge, the more significant the change—we want to know exactly what everything is going to look like, how to help everyone adjust, what the next 60 steps need to be, how it’s all going to work out.
If we can control it, we think, we can manage it.
It’s all just an illusion, though, this idea of control. It was that way before 2020; it’s certainly the case now.
Many times, all we know is enough to get through today. No amount of worrying or Googling or checking any kind of forecast can give us the answers we so desperately seek about all the future things.
But I’m starting to think this is not such a bad thing.
I keep going back to Jesus’s words from the Sermon on the Mount, at the end of the section titled (very appropriately) “The Cure for Anxiety.”
“Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34)
I’m not suggesting that details and to-do lists and spreadsheets aren’t important. We can’t live our entire lives flying by the seat of our pants, after all.
But when the big picture seems overwhelming, when the whole project seems insurmountable, when the entire journey feels too long—perhaps the best thing to do is focus on what’s right in front of us.
Today’s schedule, not tomorrow’s.
Today’s work, not tomorrow’s.
Today’s problems, not tomorrow’s.
Today’s pain, not tomorrow’s.
Do you find yourself feeling weary, discouraged, hopeless or weighed down today?
If so, come on. Let’s just make it down the hill for starters.
♥ Lois
It’s all just an illusion, this idea of control. It was that way before 2020; it’s certainly the case now. Click To Tweet When the big picture seems overwhelming, when the entire journey feels too long—perhaps the best thing to do is focus on what’s right in front of us. Click To TweetP.S. I’m linking up this week with #TellHisStory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, #HeartEncouragement, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.
32 comments
Lois, your writing has such a nice easy flow that it drew me right in. And, yes, life is overwhelming at times. Just saying 2020 communicates that and will for years to come. Thanks for reminding us that the overwhelm doesn’t have to control us because God is in control of all things. We need only to believe in God’s promises.
Aw, Suzette … thank you so much for your kind words. It’s interesting, isn’t it, to wonder what connotations 2020 will have when we look back in five or 10 years? “Overwhelming” certainly will make the list. I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to seem some redemptive threads in there too. Many blessings to you this week, my friend.
Thank you for this reminder. I think it is important for every day but also at this season.
I agree wholeheartedly, Beth. So good to hear from you this week!
Yes, to one small step at a time and just getting down the hill. There is less stress and worry this way. Even when we think we have all the options and choices for the coming week figured out, something different happens. So, I’m focusing on getting down the hill today and enjoying the scenery.
That’s a great add, Theresa. Get down the hill AND enjoy the scenery along the way! Have a great week, my friend.
Ahhh, Lois. Our family loves those movies too. And yes, that line . . . it’s so powerful, isn’t it? God helps us—He strengthens us—one step at a time, it seems. Such great words, my friend.
Thanks, Jeane. Not surprised you have a houseful of LOTR fans too. 🙂 Hugs, friend.
Lois, you ARE a kindred spirit! I LOVE LOTR!! I remember that line and even thinking, “Frodo, just take the steps for now”. What a great object lesson. We do get all caught up in thinking we control anything. The most life-giving thing we can do is focus on what’s right in front of us. Thank you for the encouragement. Now where are those LOTR DVDs……
Sounds like it’s time for a movie marathon at your house, Donna. 🙂 I’m guessing we could have a wonderful conversation about our favorite lines and scenes from all the LOTR movies. Hugs, friend.
Yep and amen, Lois. One day at a time became my mantra this year. It’s been a lifeline and has kept me from overwhelm. We still don’t know if we’re going to venture off to see all our kiddos for Christmas. God has been faithful in showing us our next step and we’re confident we’ll be able to discern His will together.
Meanwhile, that picture up top? LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
Bless you, friend …
Aw, thanks, Linda. The picture was taken last summer in Alaska … it’s one of my favorites too. 🙂 It’s been so encouraging to read how God has been leading, guiding and comforting you this year … here’s to a joyful Christmas, wherever and however you spend it. Hugs, friend.
Such helpful insight..”if we can control it, we think we can manage it”. I have often had to battle this mindset. Love the tie in to the movie…great visual!
Thanks, Mary … have a great week!
I never noticed that line, either. What a great philosophy! When the task is too hard or the journey too long, just take the next step.
I think it’s a great philosophy too, Barbara. I hope you have a good week, my friend.
I have never read the book or seen the movies, Lois. But that quote is so encouraging! Isn’t it something how even if you watched a movie several times, there are lines or scenes that you never noticed before? That line certainly is meaningful for right now. Did you paint that picture by the tree? Lovely. 🙂 Thank you for this comforting message, my friend. Love and blessings to you!
Yes, Trudy … I love it when a line like that pops out unexpectedly too! I’m glad you like the sign … Randy carved it on his CNC machine. 🙂 Love and blessings to YOU, my friend.
Yes, yes, yes! You’ve explained this beautifully, Lois. I’m a big believer in just taking one small step in the right direction for now. It’s usually enough. I finally read the LOTR books and watched the movies in the correct sequence a couple years ago, and found out that once I understood them, I did like them after all. 🙂
Lisa, I had that same experience with the three Hobbit movies. I saw each one when they came out on video and never really liked them much. Then a few months ago, we watched them one after another, and I really enjoyed them—-especially noticing how Bilbo Baggins grows and changes as a character. 🙂
Love that movie series!
And just last evening, feeling overwhelmed, I made a list of all the things I have to do, and then put it aside so I could focus on the one task I could accomplish in that moment. It felt very good!
What a great idea, Michele … to get on paper everything you need to do and then focus on the one thing that can be done quickly. I’m glad this practice helped get you through your overwhelming feelings last week!
This is such wise counsel and encouragement. I love the simple image of just making it down the hill. During a particularly overwhelming and anxiety-ridden moment of my life, I was blessed with a similar impression: Just focus on your next best step. We can choose to focus on that and lean into faith that in time all the big picture worries and concerns that we can’t control will be made okay. Thanks for sharing this today Lois. Have a great day!
Marielle, don’t you just love it when you a little phrase sinks in deep and makes a huge difference in your life? And you’re so right—it is a choice to focus on the next best step—-or not. Thanks for offering your perspective this week, my friend.
I’ve never seen or read Lord Of The Rings but I like the point you drew out here. If we try to look at the whole way ahead it can seem overwhelming. It is a lot easier if we focus on one step at a time. I think the lack of being able to plan ahead in 2020 has meant we have often had to just look at the next step.
So true, Lesley. One step at a time is a good strategy for any year, but especially 2020. Hugs, friend.
All 3 of my boys LOVE Lord of the Rings. They watched all the movies and read all the books. I had to smile when I read your opening paragraphs.
“Let’s just make it down the hill for starters” is an excellent mantra. We don’t have to accomplish everything all at once, let’s just get started. I am going to have to remember that one for my next long run! 🙂
“Let’s just get started.” Laurie, there are a few areas of my life where I need to heed those words for sure. Good luck using Samwise’s mantra on your next long run!
Lois, I found such peace in reading the one line you pulled out from the movies – “Let’s just make it down the hill for starters.” Amen. Instead of my worrying about all the things that may occur (or not) in the next few weeks, I need to just focus on today. This moment. Now. After all, I cannot control a single day and He is in complete control of all our days! Such encouragement and I thank you, and Samwise 🙂
Joanne, I have found that same kind of peace many times by remembering Samwise’s words. And I love your words too: “Focus on today. This moment. Today.” Amen, my friend.
Samwise is my favorite LOTR character. We all need Samwise-like friends in our lives…and to be that kind of encourager to others facing their own Mount Doom. I’ve had those moments where the big picture seemed so overwhelming, so I needed to zoom in and focus on those smaller aspects to conquer one at a time. Wonderful post. Thanks so much for sharing such beautiful insight.
Thank YOU, Lisa. And what a wonderful goal, to be a Samwise-like encourager to the people around us. Blessings to you this week, my friend.