So, I’m on an adventure into the deeper, bluer freedom of being myself. Yeah. Right.
Remember what Gandalf said to Bilbo. “I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.”
Bilbo answered, “I should think so—in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!” 
My journey to be freed from the fear of rejection could only mean one thing: I was going to have to face that dragon. Of course, I only figured that out when I was in the middle of being rejected.
It was nasty, disturbing and uncomfortable. BUT rejection’s fiery breath didn’t kill me. And, truth be told, I wasn’t rejected for very long.
But I will meet that dragon again, if I continue on this path. Gandalf told Bilbo, “It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.”
Dragons of rejection live in our neighbourhoods and have lairs in most homes and churches. Jaws open and dogmatic flames fly out, should we dare to disagree.
It takes a brave soul to stick to what they believe, especially when they are outnumbered. I’ve seen a few do it. They didn’t run away. They held their ground and kept on loving those who disagreed with them. And their community grew around them and flourished. It became more diverse and more loving.
Now God is asking me to be as brave as Bilbo. Remember, “So comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their endings.”
What then shall we say to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?
-Romans 8:31 (ESV)
An Everyday Pilgrim 