J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, The Hobbit, opens with the line, “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.”
The Hobbit came out in theaters the day before my birthday and since I am possibly a huge Tolkien nerd….. we went to see it to celebrate! I went to the movie expecting to have an enjoyable time. What I did not totally expect, however; was to find myself in the movie.
The story begins with that line I mentioned above. Hobbits live for comfort. They do their own thing and are quite happy to stay in their little bubble without ever needing to know about the world outside of the Shire. Ok, I’ll be honest. There is totally a part of me that is exactly like this. I would love to just sit at home in my own hobbit-hole reading a book by the fire more often than not. But, that isn’t all there is to life!
Bilbo Baggins’ mindset about adventure and abandoning his lifestyle isn’t quite enthusiastic in the beginning of the book. He says, “I have no time. We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can’t see what anybody sees in them.” Ha, Tolkien read my mind! Too often I don’t want to go on an adventure. I want to sit at home! I have other plans! But like Gandalf, God gives me a kick and a shove out the door and sends me on my way. As Bilbo progresses through the journey (because of course he does go on the adventure after all) its apparent that my own life- especially what I am about to do- is also a journey. And I am Bilbo.
The World Race calls for abandonment, and much like Bilbo is not thrilled to leave his beloved Shire, there are times I feel I must be crazy for doing the World Race. Bilbo asks Gandalf at one point if he can promise he will return home. Gandalf answers saying, “No, and if you come back, you will not be the same.” Well that’s a World Race quote if I ever heard one! A part of me freaks out with that idea. Do I want to change? How hard is that part of this journey going to be? Will any of my friends still want to be my friends if I change? And on and on says that voice in my head. I’m sure Bilbo thought it too. No hobbit would be so senseless as to dabble in things such as adventures!
There is so much in the Hobbit that pulls at my heartstrings. There are times when I feel Tolkien couldn’t have written this by himself- it’s gotta be divine providence. Seriously. I found myself in this book and the movie and that encouraged me. There are times and will be times on this journey where all I wish for is my own hobbit-hole back home. There will be times I feel useless and want to turn back. But something, rather someone, will keep me going. There are risks, not quite the same ones Bilbo faces (lacerations, incineration…you know), but still. Gandalf is asked by Galadriel why he chose the halfling (because of course no one in their right mind would choose such a creature). Interestingly enough, Gandalf replies, "Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay… small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid and he gives me courage." I smile at that because it reminds me that God has always used “ordinary” folk, much like Bilbo, to do extraordinary things. Hebrews 11 even gives a whole list of these people! That alone gives me hope and urges me to follow where He is leading. Not because I want the glory, but because even though I see so many faults in myself, God sees more and uses my strengths and my weaknesses for His glory.
The race will be hard. I feel inadequate to be going at times. But I look to Bilbo for encouragement. Bilbo makes the decision to put his own inadequacy behind him, to abandon the quiet familiar, and to start his adventure. Not knowing what was going to happen. Not knowing if he would return. We all know the story of what happens because he made that decision. Can you imagine if he hadn't?
So, I made the decision to do the same! I’m leaving for the World Race, for a year of pursuing Jesus and I am not looking back. Like Gandalf says, “Home is now behind you. The world is ahead.”
So I go…
