The Bilbo Principle: How Elders Can Equip the Next Generation for Success

So, I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself an elder person, but I did turn fifty this year. Whereas fifty is usually considered middle-aged, if my life follows the medium current human life span standards, then the years I have ahead will likely be less then those behind. Well, not if I live to be over a hundred or truly am immortal like I tell people.

Crossing the half century milestone has brought many things clearly to the fore front. One such thought is that I am moving into my twilight years. Even though I still have dreams and vision I am pursuing, some things, such as my ministry roll in the body, are changing. Where before my ambition was to have a position and to build a ministry, now I find myself not only taking on but desiring more of a support roll.

One such area God has placed on my heart are people who are in that transitional phase from youth to young adult. One of my rolls in my old church in Tampa Florida was leader of the College and Career group. I still have a heart for that demographic and have been praying about ways I can be involved in that area in my current church.

During my prayer time this week God brought to my remembrance the Lord of the Rings, which if you know me, isn't surprising. The scene He highlighted was the one where Bilbo gives Frodo his old equipment before he leaves Rivendell to go off to Mordor and to Mount Doom. Here we find Bilbo giving Frodo the tools that served him well on his own adventure. The same tools that saved his life and enabled him to successfully complete his part in the greater narrative of life.

As older folk we have experience, knowledge and wisdom that the younger generation need if they are going to succeed. In order for the next generation to go even farther then we did, it is imperative that we actively and intentionally equip them with all of the tools we can. Just like Bilbo did for Frodo, we need to do the same for the younger generations God has entrusted to us.

My trainer and friend Sef Diaz said of me when I got angry at the young guys at the gym, that I had:

Become like an old man yelling at kids to get off my lawn.

This made me realize that perhaps I was not really being understanding or empathic to the younger generation. That used to be one of my my strengths, since I tend to gravitate towards hobbies that are not traditionally what older men partake in. God’s used Sef to remind me just how import it is for older men like me to be able to connect with the younger generation.

This means we need to actively engage and develop relationships with them. This developing of relationship is essential for both generations.

Bilbo was not Frodo’s parent, but he adopted him after his parents died. He didn’t shy away from relationship simply because he wasn’t his immediate family, but chose to develop a mentor relationship with Frodo and even made him his heir. This not only led Frodo to be equipped by Bilbo, but was also responsible for putting him on the road that led him to his destined call as the hero that destroys the one ring.

Make no mistake our relationships with the next generation can either help or hinder them on their journey through life. Just like Bilbo, we can be the catalyst that rockets them into their calling or an obstacle of hindrance that may derail them. It is more then just a good idea but it is vital that we do this. Not only for our biological children but for all of the next generation.

It can be hard for us to let go of our own ambitions and to transition to a mentorship roll.

When it was time for Bilbo to pass the ring onto Frodo, he had a really hard time with the transition. Yes, I do know that in the story the ring literally had ahold on him, but how often do we allow our own inability to let go of our place and position to hinder our relationship with those who would take the torch from us? I have seen this play out many times to the detriment of the people whose calling it was to take the baton for the next leg of the race.

Thankfully Bilbo, with the help of Gandalf, was able to let the burden pass to Frodo.

One important roll we fill for the next generation is to pass the baton on to them when it is their turn to run. If we do not, then we hurt not only them, but the church as a whole. If we keep running past our allotted time, then the whole race is hindred.

Now, I am not saying that this means our roll has ended. Bilbo's part in the story didn’t stop when the ring passed to Frodo, it simply changed. He went from ring bearer to mentor to the new ring bearer. From the active leader of the party, to a vital support to the new one. I know this can be hard for some of us to except, but I can not stress enough how important this transition is. It can make or break the next generation.

it is important that we pass down the tools and knowledge that served us.

I’m sure Bilbo had no idea when he gave his Mithril shirt to Frodo that it would someday save his life. All he knew was that it served him well on his own adventure. Sure, it was pretty, but he didn’t give it to him because of its monetary value but because he knew it would protect Frodo just as it protected him.

Money is important, but wisdom and skills are more so.

Likewise, he gave him his sword sting. The same sword that had slain the spiders and even orcs during the battle of the Five Armies. It warned him when danger was near and was a powerful weapon against the enemy, and now it would do the same for Frodo. The weapon may not have looked like much to the big folk, but in the hands of a Hobbit, it was a valuable tool.

Just like Bilbo, you may not seem to have much to offer, but trust me, you do.

To the outside world Bilbo was just a small part of the story, but the wisdom he gained and the tools he acquired would be paramount for Frodo in his own part of the story. Without them, both he and Sam would not have succeeded and all would have been lost. In the end, not even the strongest and wisest in Middle Earth gave more valuable council or tools to him than little old Bilbo.

Like me you may not be the senior pastor of a mega church, a political leader, or a paragon of business, but that’s ok. What you have to offer is just as important as the council of the mighty. In fact, just like Bilbo, you may find that the wisdom you bring to the table is exactly what the next generation needs.

So just like Bilbo, don’t let the lies of the enemy keep you from actively and intentionally engaging with the next generation. Afterall, just imagine what would have happened in Professor Tolkien’s tale if Bilbo had simply disengaged and left Frodo to his own devices. All would have been lost and the next generation is counting on you just as Frodo did him.

Jay

As always, if you enjoyed this post, and even if you didn’t, please leave me a comment below.

If you would like to know more about JW Kiefer and his novels, you can find him at JWKIEFER.COM and on Medium.