Metamorphosis

"Bilbo’s impulsive bravery in the troll camp begins his figurative transformation from an introvert to an adventurer... by the end of Chapter 2, he has already begun to prove Gandalf’s claim that there is more to Bilbo than meets the eye. Over the course of the novel, Bilbo gradually sheds his modern complacency and becomes more courageous and adventurous."  (sparknotes)

a note from the shire in my inbox today included the following;

"Some of my neighbors park their cars on the side of the road at the crest of a hill. Those who want to drive past them have to swing into the left lane, with no idea who or what might be coming toward them. It makes driving in our neighborhood quite an adventure.
This example of lousy parking is actually a pretty good representation of our life in God. Faith is not for the faint-hearted. We are asked to take a journey, without necessarily knowing where we are going or what might be coming toward us. We are not given a map; rather, we are asked to trust that we are going someplace good. The “danger” of this journey is unlikely to result in smashed fenders or broken bones, but it may well breach our comfortable lives.
We can’t envision all the possibilities that time and life may bring to us, but faith can be exhilarating! What God has in store for us is probably more breathtaking than anything we could come up with on our own. I’ve always believed that the serious Christian life is for the adventurous. The journey, if we’re brave enough to take it, is never dull."  (from upper room devotionals)

metamorphosis