By Rebecca van Noppen
“One must tread the path need chooses.” Gandalf the Grey, from The Fellowship of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien
They were left with little choice. The fellowship of nine companions was tasked with helping the young hobbit Frodo destroy the One Ring of Power in the fires of Mount Doom. From the outset, the forces of evil were set against them, and their path choices were dangerous and uncertain.
“One must tread the path need chooses,” Gandalf says. And the need is to hide from the enemy and take the path under the mountain. It is a choice none of them are happy with, but it is the path most needed in that moment.
I was thinking of Gandalf’s quote as we prepared for the podcast this week, and how applicable it is in light of rising interest rates, inflation, and lifestyle costs. Financial need often chooses a path for us. What are the needs? Any number of them come to mind.
- Increased cost of food and gas.
- Increased variable rate mortgage payments and energy bills.
- Increased costs of living while wages remain the same, or decline.
The path of financial need. It is telling us to do something intentionally, practically, and spiritually to skillfully manage the resources we have been given. As we consider all of this, it is also important to see that there are some deliberate choices we can make as we head out on the path need chooses.
- Focus on God and His purposes. Talk to Him and tell Him about your situation.
- Don’t spend emotional energy on what you cannot change. Do the next right thing. Take one day at a time.
- Make a new spending plan. Look at the next four to eight weeks. What expenses are coming up? What income is coming in? Are there any places you can cut back? On the flip side, are there any new places for you to save and invest? Consider your spending plan as a whole, not just in its parts.
- Lean into His mercies. Understand that whether your situation comes from your mistakes, or from unforeseen circumstances, God’s mercies, grace, love and wisdom are available for such a time as this.
- Find a good and healthy community to walk out your journey. The fellowship of nine did not walk the journey individually, but together in community.
Need may be choosing your path, but keep pressing on with wisdom and intentionality. Resist the temptation to bury your head in the sand. Look up and seek God. He is making a way for you on the path of need.