The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
I love to read, but lately I get caught up in reading for work – reading about social issues or academic research on higher education, most non-fiction and pieces that connect with interests of mine, but not necessarily the most interesting reads in and of themselves.
In prepping for the vocational calling class I taught last spring, I came across a Tolkien short story, The Leaf. It is one of the most beautiful, imaginative, and poignant stories I have ever read. It is such a metaphor for vocation and work, such a picture of the unfinished picture that God paints in our lives. If you haven’t read it, it’s definitely worth a read. (It’s short, so it’s a manageable commitment.)
The Leaf was my first introduction to Tolkien, and he wrote it because he thought he would die before finishing what he considered his life’s work, The Lord of the Rings. I have never been much into fantasy or adventure, but after reading The Leaf, I knew I wanted to dive into the series. I know it’s popular; I know people love it. I was not convinced I would love it, though. Yet, I felt strangely drawn toward it, so I finally picked up a copy of The Hobbit and sat down to see what it was all about. I couldn't put it down.
What an adventure! Bilbo, the unsuspecting hero on an unexpected adventure, discovers there is much more to life beyond the comfort of staying at home, the Arkenstone of Thrain, or the power of being invisible. There is friendship and courage and selflessness. What I think is one of Tolkien’s gifts is the ability to have his characters – regular, normal, like us characters (except that they are hobbits and dwarves and such) – point us to the true, noble, beautiful, and good. He can paint powerful pictures of the ugliness of human nature, too, (in goblins and spiders and such) that stands in stark contrast. Sometimes we watch movies and want to like the bad guys; not so, in a Tolkien piece. And we don’t just want to like the good guys, but we want to see some of ourselves in them. We want to think we are capable of such courage, such nobility, such adventure. Maybe that is why so many are drawn into this story. It is one that gives us courage to venture out a little further into who God has called us to be. Even when the road seems scary and uncertain, we can be convinced it is a journey worth making and that we have a Guide who will lead us along the path.
I loved the adventure. Onward… it reminded me of a old favorite:
Saddle up your horses
We've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder
Of God's amazing grace
Let's follow our Leader
Into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other
This is the great adventure, yeah
-Steven Curtis Chapman, The Great Adventure
