If you know the Lord of the Rings, then you are probably familiar with the character, Peregrin Took, or as he is more commonly known, Pippin.
Pippin is a hobbit from the Shire of Middle Earth. He is best remembered for his mischievous antics, humor, and general lack of common sense. Gandalf often calls him a fool and with good reason. Pippin is the character who would be voted least likely to succeed. Hobbits, by their nature, aren’t meant to go on grand adventures or embark on quests which change the fate of the world. Pippin, though, is perhaps the least qualified even among hobbits.
We’ve all worn Pippin’s shoes at some point or other in our lives. Most of the time Pippin’s tricks are all fun and games and he doesn’t consider their outcome or how they might impact other people.
Pippin eventually learns there are sometimes hard consequences for his foolishness. In the mines of Moria, he pokes around until he unintentionally awakens the entire underside of the mountain, which is filled with orcs, goblins, and worst of all, a Balrog demon. In the ensuing battle, Gandalf is lost to the company when he sacrifices himself to stop the Balrog.
Pippin carries this burden with him for a significant portion of the quest. It could be argued that everything that happened in Moria was his fault. Gandalf had repeatedly cautioned the members of the fellowship to tread carefully and quietly. Pippin matures somewhat under the weight of this regret.
Gandalf eventually returns and reunites with members of the fellowship. Just when we think Pippin has learned from his folly, he goes and messes up again. He touches a lost seeing stone, a Palantiri, after being warned about it. In so doing, he draws the eye of Sauron and puts himself and everyone he is with at risk.
Lastly, Pippin indentures himself to Boromir’s father, Lord Denethor. Pippin does this out of a misplaced sense of duty, but here again he is a fool, ignoring Gandalf’s wisdom. Lord Denethor is a harsh master and in a cruel twist, makes Pippin little more than a court jester. Pippin has been a fool and now he is ordered to play the fool for Gondor’s court.
Pippin gains wisdom through hardship. Yet, without his foolish actions in Moria, Gandalf would not have defeated the Balrog and become Gandalf the White. Pippin’s encounter with the Palantiri ultimately distracted Sauron and protected Frodo. His indentured servitude to Lord Denethor placed him in the unique position to light the signal fires to acquire aid from Rohan. It also allowed him to save the life of Boromir’s younger brother, Faramir.
Pippin’s life shows us that while we will err, nothing we do is beyond redemption. Learn from mistakes and endeavor not to repeat them, but beware of carrying guilt and burdens when we must relinquish them to Christ.
Grace and Peace Friends,
A. A. Wordsmith
Selah Vie! 