“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:10
J.R.R. Tolkien was one of the great writers of the 20th century. A professor of language and literature at Oxford, Tolkien wrote poetry and full-length stories. He is most well-known for his great works of fantasy, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. His successful writings have led to J.R.R. Tolkien being known as the “Father” of modern fantasy literature.
In Tolkien’s amazing fantasy, great armies battle for control of Middle-earth. The characters of this story are led by powerful elves, wizards, kings, and warriors who wield their skills and powers to influence and control the world around them. This amazing story quickly catches your imagination. The powerful characters do amazing things, but it is not those mighty characters who are the centerpiece of the story.
The main character of The Hobbit is a small, ordinary hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo lives a quiet life and a picturesque little community filled with other Hobbits. Bilbo is unexpectedly caught up in a great adventure, led by the wizard Gandalf. The adventure goes through beautiful and challenging geography. Along the way, they encounter challenges and battles of all kinds. Part of the way through the story, the great elf Galadriel asks a question of Gandalf. She wants to know why he has involved the little hobbit in this grand adventure, after all, the hobbits were only seen as Halflings, very small people.
Gandalf’s response is such a powerful reminder to us today about how we can share love and hope in the world around us. Gandalf responds to the mighty elf, “Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have 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 because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.”
Each day, we look around and see great challenges in front of us. The news is filled with never-ending news about political battles, natural disasters, war, and overwhelming problems. It is easy for us to look at these big problems and think that we are too small, too insignificant to make a difference. That is simply not true. When we offer acts of kindness and love in our everyday lives, we make a difference. As the stories of the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings play out, you find that the smallest of characters make the biggest contributions. That is how life is. “It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
