May 13, 2026

Viewing all things through the lens of the True and the beautiful!

It is my bride's birthday! If you have been blessed by Brooke's creative contributions to The Equipped, would you drop her a birthday greeting at theequippednewsletter@gmail.com? Happy birthday, baby!

The True

The Real Battle

“He fought the real battle in the tunnel alone.”

Our oldest son, Jude, has for many years been working to convince me to read J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings book trilogy. I have certainly never been opposed to it—there is precious little I love more than reading masterfully spun stories—but there is always a long list of reading I want to do and it has been difficult to interject such a long series. But alas, Jude prevailed, and I read The Hobbit this last week. He was correct—I should have done so long before now.

Many of you will be familiar with the story from the blockbuster movies it inspired, but there is one point in the narrative that hit me like a ton of bricks and that I believe is for our community at The Equipped this week. It comes as Bilbo Baggins (the hobbit) is in a dark tunnel descending toward the dragon’s lair:

Bilbo was all alone. He had not yet reached the dragon. In fact, the dragon didn’t even know he was there, and Bilbo could have still turned around and fled. But he knew this was the point of no return. He knew this was the last moment in which he could opt out. Perhaps most poignant, he knew this was the last decision that was truly up to him. He could go forward or he could retreat, and he was alone.

What about you? Is there danger ahead? Are you alone in the tunnel of life? Are you grappling with the decision of whether to move forward? Do you feel as though the decision you make in the inner quiet of your being will be more significant than the public ones that will follow? If so, you discern properly, because it is so.

Your decision to choose Jesus over all else will cost you everything (Lk. 14:33). If you are grappling with that decision to truly surrender, it is likely you feel all alone. You feel that way because it is a loving God who knocks at the door of your heart but never forces his way in (Rev. 3:20). He has chosen you, but it is your decision to make. What will it be—forward toward the dragon or back and away from the costly mission ahead?

There is a second component of this, and the best I can articulate it stems from a Word God has repeatedly used to hold me up, and one with which I regularly encourage my kids:

The decisions that require the greatest inner strength are often the ones known only to you.

My friend, the battle in the tunnel of your mind can be a very lonely one. The decisions you make there may never be known to me or anyone else, but even so they are the ones that will define you! They are the ones that will forge the true you. They are the ones that will shape your character and ultimately determine your destiny.

And often, going on is the bravest thing you could possible do!

Simply choose to move forward! Here is where the beautiful intimacy of your God reveals itself, for He is with you even in that dark tunnel of decision where you feel all alone:

“I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

My friend, you only feel alone. You are not actually alone. The decision to choose Jesus—and to truly surrender everything to Him—is in fact a dangerous one. Moving forward is the bravest thing you will ever do. It is also the decision that will thrust your life into the greatest story ever told, and which will ensure your place on the victorious side of God’s conquering of evil and death (Is. 25:8, Hos. 13:14, 1 Cor. 15:54-57).

It is true: The real battle is fought in the tunnel. But as you step forward toward the dragon, you are not alone! And the tremendous things that are yet to come will be as nothing compared to this one because the living God is at your side!

Space

UFOs

“Are we alone in the universe?” It is a question that has long been asked but perhaps now with renewed interest after the U.S. Department of War released a new batch of previously classified information pertaining to “unidentified flying objects" (UFO) and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The information includes photographs, presidential memos, and reports from government officials, astronauts, and citizens. The information can be accessed at the aptly named www.war.gov/ufo, with the encouragement for Americans to reach their own conclusion about the existence of intelligent life beyond the confines of Earth.

Analysis and eternal perspective: This is an issue that has long fascinated many and certainly divided plenty. The information released this week is likely to entrench previously held views more than it will convince those of varying perspectives to change their mind. It will, however, certainly provide additional fodder to the fascinating debate about intelligent life beyond Earth.

Jesus followers are also very likely to have a wide array of opinions on this topic and it is important we underscore the word “opinion.” I confess at the outset my opinion leans toward the somewhat controversial opinion of Charles Spurgeon, who wrote:

I stipulate my opinion on this up front to underscore it is just that—opinion—and to remind us that what we do know from scripture is of preeminent importance and magnificence!

We know God created our universe by his Word and hand (Gen. 1:1).

We know the crescendo of His divine plan occurred when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to our inhabited world for the specific purpose of establishing eternal relationship with us (1 Jn. 4:9, Gal. 4:4, 1 Jn. 4:14)!

And we know Jesus is coming back to call us to our eternal home (Acts 1:11, Matt. 24:30, Jn. 14:3)!

While we may not be able to conclusively answer the question about intelligent life on other planets, we can safely say that what we do know about God’s creation is beyond magnificent and breath-taking! Let us praise Him for what He has done (Ps. 150:2)!

World

Cruise Outbreak

Three passengers of a cruise ship now docked in the Canary Islands are dead after contracting hantavirus, and another eight are either positive or suspected positive for the virus and have been flown to their respective countries for quarantining. Dozens of additional evacuated passengers will also be tested and monitored under quarantine until deemed safe to release. The cruise embarked on April 1, and the first fatality occurred on April 11. Officials say that while the risk of further spread is low and early detection improves the survivability rate, there is no known cure for hantavirus.

Analysis and eternal perspective: This is the first known outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship, but it seems fair to conclude that stories of viral outbreaks garner more attention in the post-COVID world. Any news of quarantines and other precautionary measures remind us of all-too-vivid and recent experiences—both of loss of life and restriction of freedom.

As is our custom, we first pause to lift in prayer those who are directly impacted. God, be close to the broken-hearted who have lost loved ones. Wrap your loving arms around them. Be also with those who are sick and suffering. Touch their bodies and restore them. Above all, minister to their inner beings and call them to Your side.

Next, be of good courage (Josh. 1:9)! It is easy to let the emotional scar tissue of recent years cause us to fear, but our God has called us to lifted minds and spirits! This is not a head-in-the-sand mindset, but rather one specifically informed by the truth that there is nothing in this world that can rob us of eternal life in Him (Matt. 6:19-21).

So pray for those impacted and take heart, because your God has overcome the world (Jn. 16:33)!

World

Superpowers Summit

The world’s leading superpowers are meeting this week in Beijing, China as U.S. President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping are set to speak directly on matters ranging from trade to human rights to the war in Iran. The two leaders have divergent views on a number of issues and certainly enter this week’s talks as fierce economic competitors, but both also appear eager to find some public common ground on at least economic issues.

Analysis and eternal perspective: In economic terms, the U.S. and China are far and away the superpowers of the world. The U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) registers just over $32 trillion, while China’s is just shy of $21 trillion. For perspective, no other country is more than $6 trillion, and the roughly $53 trillion between the two superpowers represents more than 40% of the world’s economic activity. Simply put, the U.S. and China are the dominant drivers of the world’s economy.

There are two seemingly opposite takeaways for you today—and in reality they go hand in hand.

First, if you live in the U.S., you have been given so very much! That might at first feel like an overly broad statement, especially if you are currently in a place of need—which can be a very tangible reality! Even so, to live in the most prosperous nation in the world during a time of unparalleled wealth, and to combine that with historic levels of freedom (the U.S. is far from perfect in this regard, and yet it is still the envy of the world and even of history) is a tremendous blessing! You and I have a duty to steward that blessing well (Lk. 12:48).

Next, all of this shall pass away (Matt. 24:35). Quite frankly, this truth underscores rather than undermines the duty of stewarding well our present day. But God’s Word is clear: All of this world—superpowers and otherwise—will pass away. Only His Word will remain on that day.

Therefore, as you revel in the blessing of your today, and as you endeavor to steward it well, make sure your true delight is in His Word. For only His Word will endure!

The Beautiful

Good Cheer Over Hoarded Gold

I can’t help but leave you with one more quote from The Hobbit:

A merrier world indeed! It is really another way of describing the truth of Proverbs 22:1: “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

The acquired things of this world will pass away. True beauty resides in the eternal things: the Word of your God and the souls of your friends. Prioritize time today for each!