The Hobbit

What do you think makes a good story?  I believe a good story is one that draws you in for the adventure and pulls you into the lives of the characters. What about the best stories, the ones that leave a permanent mark on your heart, that you are sad to see come to an end, and fill you with a special kind of wonder?  These special tales don’t come around very often it seems, but when they do you really aren't the same once you have closed the book and said goodbye to the people in them. What makes these particular stories so unforgettable?  There are certainly many qualities to be noted.  They have a way of fleshing out themes from Scripture by bringing them to life in the characters. They enamor us with the beauty of Biblical truth. They affirm the honor and nobility of doing what is right.  They inspire courage in our hearts to fight the darkness of this world, no matter what it costs us.  In short, they awaken something in our hearts, a longing desire to live our own stories, even the mundane parts, for something bigger than ourselves… for the glory of God.

That is the kind of stories J.R.R. Tolkien wrote.  Today, I am writing about one of my favorite books, The Hobbit. (Later I will write about The Lord of the Rings, and equally favorite story of mine!) I must confess that as a young reader, I didn't like fantasy at all.  I liked the Chronicles of Narnia, but that was it!  I never had an interest in trying Tolkien, but thanks to two of my brothers, I have overcome my prejudice.  Last summer, I read The Hobbit for the first time.  It instantly became one of my top favorites.  Fantasy, when done rightly and Biblically, can be a powerful tool.  One of the greatest Christian classics of all time that has brought encouragement to Christians through the ages is Pilgrim's Progress, a fantasy-like allegory of the Christian journey.  Fantasy is excellent for bringing to life more abstract concepts, fleshing out for us what it means to live Godly lives.

Tolkien had a stunning gift with stories and incredible skill at deeply weaving dying virtues into the fabric of the characters and situations.  In The Hobbit, you meet a very much reluctant Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who loves comfort and quiet and keeping to himself who one day has adventure and purpose thrust upon him against his will.  Through the story you see him grow in courage, strength of purpose, and see him get outside of himself to put others needs before his immediate comfort.  Things like courage in the face of terrible fear, faithfulness to one's word, honor, resourcefulness, committal to finishing what needs to be done even when you're ready to quit, and wisdom to know what needs to be done are exemplified in this gripping yet humorous tale.  I love this story!  It has been a great encouragement to me as I have found myself needing more bravery and courage for things I never thought I would have to do.  Due to the rich depth of the lessons and the intensity of certain situations in this book, I would not recommend this for younger readers.  It would be best for teenage readers, and the older the better so that the value of the book is more fully appreciated.