A Hobbit's Life

Life is simple. The story of your life and mine can generally be neatly put into a series of propositions. But discerning the relationships among them is almost inevitably complex. This is the simple complexity of human life.

As Christians we affirm that life is not all about us. The narrative of history is far greater in scope and meaning than any one person, save Jesus Christ. Each of us plays only a small part in the grand story, and yet each of us plays an integral part in the story. Without each of us the narrative is incomplete, but, individually, none of us is the sum of what it's about.

This tension is often difficult to hold before us when life is turbulent, when life fluctuates between storms and rainbows. Besides experiences of extreme good or evil, there are times that seem to be full of significance, meaning, and purpose, while others seem void of any of these things. What are we to make of life when we endure such struggles?

You and I are often quick to make ourselves the center of the narrative of history when life shifts just off kilter, not to mention when things really get out of whack. When tragedies unexpectedly intrude into our lives, we often assume that we, ourselves, are the victim and fail to see that just maybe in the grander scheme of things this unfortunate occurrence is not ultimately about us; rather it is to bring about something extraordinarily good.

J.R.R. Tolkien insightfully wrote about this tension that life presents to us. In the final pages of his book, "The Hobbit", Gandalf is conversing with Bilbo Baggins, who seems to be surprised that the prophecies have come true, namely, that a dwarf king has returned to the throne under the Lonely Mountain. Tolkien writes:

"Then the prophecies of the old songs have turned out to be true, after a fashion!" said Bilbo."

"Of course!" said Gandalf. "And why should not they prove true? Surely you don't disbelieve the prophecies, because you had a hand in bringing them about yourself? You don't really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit? You are a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!"

Do you see what Gandalf is saying? He acknowledges that Bilbo is in the grand scheme of things a "little fellow," that is, rather insignificant. But at the same time, he had a hand in bringing about the prophecies, which means that he is incalculably significant. This is the same tension that we experience.

Note also that Gandalf says that Bilbo's adventures and escapes were neither by "mere luck," nor "for (his) sole benefit." If you have read the novel, you know that Bilbo had cause to be discouraged, frustrated, even angry because of the struggles throughout his journey. But Gandalf doesn't allow Bilbo to go on thinking and wallowing with this attitude. He explains to him that there was someone or something behind all that Bilbo endured (I would argue that in Tolkien's case this is a reference to a sovereign God), and that there was both: a greater purpose for and others who benefited from his journey.

As I already said, Gandalf says that through Bilbo's strenuous adventures he had a hand in bringing about the prophecies. As Christian's this is something that we can find a glimmer of hope in; for we too have prophecies concerning our king who will return to rule forever. Matthew wrote in his gospel, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Who is going to do that preaching? Not hobbits, but humans: members of the Church of Jesus Christ. Therefore, all who are a member of His Church will have a role in bringing about the prophecies. That is a cool thought.