"Not all those who wander are lost"

As I mindlessly scrolled through Facebook a few nights ago, I stumbled upon an advertisement for "custom coordinate bracelets." The embedded link redirected me to a website called "Wanderer Bracelets." The website went on to explain the origin and purpose of the bracelets. In the company's own words, "In 2014, a twenty one year old left for Bali and got lost riding his motorbike through the jungle. He stumbled upon a village of talented artisan carvers struggling to make a living and asked them to make a bracelet to bring back to his friends. Inspired by the Tolkien quote, "Not all those who wander are lost," he realized he wasn't lost after all and was exactly where destiny intended him to be. Soon afterwords Wanderer Bracelets was born, creating a reliable source of income for these incredibly talented Balinese. Each bracelet serves as reminders to embrace what you value most, the people and places you encounter on the path of life. We began making customized bracelets so that you can wear the coordinates of your favorite places and the initials of your favorite people."

Previous to a few nights ago, I had never heard of, or seen the bracelets before. Also, I'm ashamed to admit that although I've heard the quote above referenced many times, I was not exactly sure who JRR Tolkien was. So, I used my google machine and learned a little about the English writer and poet who is credited with authoring many works, including "The Hobbit," and "The Lord of the Rings." Buried deep in the Wikipedia article was something else quite interesting however (and hopefully accurate), it read, "Tolkien's devout Roman Catholic faith was a significant factor in the conversion of C.S. Lewis from atheism to Christianity...."

I'm sure you've heard, or read about C.S. Lewis, the British writer and lay theologian. One of his most well known works is, "The Screwtape Letters." I learned that Tolkien was an important person in Lewis' life. I also learned that May 11, 1926 was an important date in Lewis' life. That was the first time Lewis and Tolkien met at Oxford. What took place after that day was many late night walks and discussions between the new friends. Lewis himself described the scene of his return to Christianity,
"You must picture me alone in that room in Magdalen [Oxford College], night after night, feeling, whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England."
It's not just a company trying to sell bracelets, the Bible also discusses the importance and significance of remembering people, places, and events in our lives. In the book of Samuel, you will read about how the Lord routed the Philistines and allowed Israel to win a great victory. In response, Samuel took a large stone, which he named "Ebenezer," meaning "the stone of help," and he placed it near the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah, where the victory took place. The stone was meant to be a reminder of "how the Lord has helped us." That isn't the only account of how a stone was used as a reminder of God's faithfulness and help. In addition to Samuel, see also the stories of Noah, Joshua, and Jacob.

The "Ebenezer" stone for Samuel and the Israelites was more than a rock, it was a reminder of all they were capable of with the help of the Lord. After all, "nothing is impossible with Him." (Luke 1:37).

Even today you may hear someone say, "that's my Ebenezer." When you think back on your life and all of the people, places, and things that make up your collective experience, where is your Ebenezer? What do you point to? Who do you point to? What reminds you of God's goodness?

Nothing in this life is by accident. Not my scrolling over that ad a few nights ago, not the 21 year old in Bali who was "lost," not the meeting of Tolkien and Lewis at Oxford, not the events we read about in the Old Testament, not even what led you to read the words I'm typing.

Life is enormously complex, but we serve an amazing and all knowing God. We aren't just random people bumping into one another in random places, at random times. You have to know that God loves you. You must know that you have a significant purpose in this world and in the lives of others. Believe that your life is masterfully and beautifully designed by a beautiful Master designer.

Where will life take you next? Will you give God the glory and recognition He deserves as your future unfolds? Even when you feel off course and disconnected, focus on Him and remember "not all those who wander are lost."

Much Love, Adam

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