The Pilgrim Path 

‘You are so wise and powerful. Will you not take the Ring?’

“No!” Cried Gandalf, springing to his feet. “With that power I should have power too great and terrible. And over me the Ring would gain a power still greater and deadly.” His eyes flashed and his face was lit as by a fire within. “Do not tempt me! For I do not wish to become like the Dark Lord himself. Yet the way of the Ring to my heart is by pity, pity for weakness and the desire of strength to do good. Do not tempt me! I dare not take it, even to keep it safe, unused.”

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” the wizard Gandalf is the embodiment of true wisdom, but his wisdom may appear foolish—as when he refuses to take the ring of power. Gandalf is powerful, yet his is a power found in weakness. Other characters reject Gandalf’s way, believing that the only way to truly defeat the enemy is by wielding the ring. But in the end they are unmasked as fools. Their eyes can see worldly power, but they are blind to the power of wisdom.

Pray that you would be blind to the lies of earthly wisdom and might clearly see Heavenly Wisdom for what it is.

Grace and peace in Jesus Christ our Risen Lord and Savior, Pastor Peter