The Breaking of the Fellowship

What is in a friend?  Companionship, love, and support would all be great answers to this question.  There's just something special about a friendship.  Inside jokes are created, laughter and good times are had, and oftentimes hearts are shared.  Yes, there is certainly something to be said about friendship.

J.R.R. Tolkien understood the importance of this unique bond when he wrote "The Fellowship of the Ring."  A band of 9 travelers are united by a single purpose: to destroy evil from their world.  This purpose leads them through many dangers together until it is impossible for them all to continue on the same path.  At this point, they must decide where to go.  Though both ways continue to aide in the fight against evil, this tried and true group of close friends are no longer together.  Some die, and some lose their way in the end.

This fellowship that Tolkien writes of is symbolic of all friendships.  At first, in order to call one "friend," you must be walking in the same direction, aimed at the same goal.  If this does not happen, true growth in the relationship cannot take place.  It is impossible!

Secondly, there are people out there who you previously called friend, but who have since decided to take a different turn than one you are willing to make.  But as long as they are basing their reasons for this change solely on Scripture, and, because of this, are fully convinced in their own minds that what they are doing is correct, then there is no reason that you should stop calling them "friend."  Perhaps it is harder to maintain a close relationship, but it is not an unhealthy one.

Finally, there is the companion who falls away and loses sight of your original goal.  They try to get you to go with them, but remain steadfast!  They are not leading you to the light as friends should, but to darkness.  When this happens, it is better to sever the relationship and any contact you had with them.  Serve Christ and do not fear what these kinds of people think about you.  Do not waste your time!

At the end of his trilogy, Tolkien does something interesting.  The battle over evil has been fought and has been won.  It is at the point that peace and rest enter the world.  Remember those friends who made the difficult decision to deviate from their original path, but were fully convinced of their way?  They are reunited with their friends who stayed the course to the end.


"For whoever find me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death."  Proverbs 8:35-36