In the modern classic, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Aragorn seeks to steady the troops as they prepare to fight at the black gates. He said, “I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me.” Of course they had fear. Their mission was impossible, their death was certain. With the eyes of men, they could not see a way through.

Ever feel like your life is spent in battle at the black gates? Has the fear consumed your heart? Can you see a way through?

I’ll confess that “fear that would take the heart of me” is often my greatest enemy. And most especially when I venture out on a new project to accomplish something for God. Move forward or retreat? Step out in faith again, or move back and get a steady job with a reliable paycheck.

Aragorn continued, “A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down, but it is not this day. This day we fight!”

I’m not trying to be overly dramatic, but this stirs my soul for the coming year. The forces of good and evil are aligning, and our work will strengthen globally minded churches and send ripples of evangelism and discipleship throughout the world. Not only will we be guiding five churches in sending their first overseas missionaries, but we will be establishing a pattern for low-income churches to follow to repeat the process.

Our courage may fail, but not this day!