45. What's Your Story?

Hello again, and I hope you've had a great start to your new year!

There are just a few more blogs left in the Walking through Wilderness blog series, and today, I want to continue our theme of ‘Free to be Me’ by drawing lessons from one of my favourite movies of all time – The Lord of The Rings. I’ve watched it countless times and yet, even now, every time I watch it Father speaks to me, or shows me something new. It speaks deeply to my heart about the battle that rages, the fight of good against evil, and the power of unity when a group of incredibly diverse characters puts aside their differences, and aligns their hearts in a common purpose. I love seeing the simplicity and purity of heroic hearts, the forging of the most unlikely friendships, and the incredible courage of those who fight to protect the ones they love. 

If you’re not familiar with the Lord of the Rings movies, or if you’re not a fan of them, please bear with me, and let's hope the principles I share will speak to you, nevertheless.

Each and every character in the Lord of the Rings had to face a challenge of some kind (for some, many challenges). For instance, Frodo, the main character (although it could be argued he had competition for that title!). Frodo was a hobbit, a simple, peace-loving young man who had the massive challenge of keeping his heart pure while not succumbing to the hideous evil he had been commissioned to carry, in the form of a dark lord’s ring. Frodo managed to do this, but failed at the last hurdle because, when he finally got to the fires of Mordor, he couldn’t throw the evil ring into the volcano to destroy it. Physical, emotional and mental exhaustion, combined with the mesmerising evil power of the ring, robbed him of the strength to do that - but help came in an unexpected form!

Sam was Frodo’s gardener, an important character in the story and a most unlikely hero. Sam became Frodo’s companion on their quest even though, prior to that, he had never even set foot outside his homeland in the Shire. He is one of the humblest of all the characters in the Lord of the Rings, and yet one of the most vital, because he saved Frodo’s life (and, by default, the lives of everyone in middle earth) on more than one occasion. Sam’s challenge, I believe, was to find the courage to believe in himself.

Another one of the heroes of Middle Earth was an outcast named Aragorn who had been in hiding for a long time, fleeing his destiny as the rightful king of a city named Gondor. Aragorn’s challenge was to face his fear of failing, as his ancestors had done. Instead of living under the shame of their shortcomings, he had to realise that he was not his father or grandfather, and forge his own destiny.

The elves were portrayed in the movie (although not so much in the Lord of the Ring books) as generally seeming to ‘have it all together’ and it’s quite hard to think of anything about them that wasn’t perfect. Extremely powerful in an understated kind of way, they were strategic warriors, elegant and gracious, pleasing in appearance, wise, noble, and fiercely proud of their Elvish heritage. But that, I believe, could be seen as one of their challenges. Legolas, a young elven prince, was so ensconced in his elvish mindset that he found it difficult to tolerate those who didn’t share the same set of ideals and perspectives, such as the sworn enemy of elves – the dwarves.

Gimli was one such dwarf, and just as proud of his dwarven heritage as Legolas was of his elven lineage. These two people groups had a contentious history which went back centuries, and they were equally as distrusting and disdainful of each other. In the Lord of the Rings, Legolas and Gimli find themselves being thrown together, and eventually fighting side by side to save Middle Earth. The challenge that both of them faced was to overcome their prejudice and hatred of each other's races. Over the course of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, we see those walls of segregation crumble and fall, and a begrudging respect emerges in its place which eventually develops into a deep respect and even love (some say it's the ultimate bromance!!)

There are so many incredible characters which Tolkien weaves into his story: men and elves, wizards and hobbits. Diverse characters, all facing their own fears, and yet all of them putting aside their own dreams and desires to join in the common goal of pursuing freedom for their world. 

You’re probably wondering why I’m waxing lyrical about the Lord of the Rings characters, and what does this have to do with being ‘Free to Be Me’. I’ll tell you, but first, let me ask you a question: which one of the Lord of the Rings characters do you relate to the most? If you were a Lord of the Rings character, who would you be? A wizard? A ranger? An elf, dwarf or hobbit? 

I would love to think of myself as an elf or one of the warrior heroes, but I’m not. In this particular context, I’m a hobbit. I’m a simple person with simple desires and needs. Family is massively important to me, and my friendships are based not on socialising, but on an authentic sharing of hearts. I like the simple pleasures of life;  chatting, laughing, eating, and playing games. I’m faithful, loyal, dependable, and caring, but don’t let that fool you – I’m not a pushover! I will fight passionately for those I love, or those who can’t fight for themselves, and I have a strong sense of justice. Most of the time I’m a cuddly kitten but, if you want to see the lioness in me, just mess with my family… then you’ll hear my roar!

The biggest challenge which has been ongoing throughout my life has been my lack of belief in myself. I never felt I was enough. I never fitted in. I never felt like I mattered – and I never felt I could write a book that someone would actually want to publish… let alone a trilogy!

So, that’s me. That’s who I am.

Who are you?

Bringing my narrative about the Lord of the Rings to a close, here’s my challenge: if, like me, you are a simple hobbit with a good heart and a desire to make the world a better place, celebrate that! Your heavenly Father is giving you permission to be a hobbit (metaphorically speaking, of course – please don’t get all weird and start dressing like a hobbit or walking around barefoot!) Don’t believe the lie that you are insignificant or ordinary. Be the best metaphorical hobbit you can be! Revel in the fact that your Father has made you a hobbit. Live your hobbit life to the full. Press in for more. Be brave! Take courage! Step out of your comfortable hobbit house and go on the adventures that present themselves. Take risks! Let your loyalty and faithfulness shine like a full moon in a dark world. Bring joy and laughter to those around you. Love people well. Be extraordinary!

If you are an elf, celebrate your elvish destiny! Share your wisdom, be gracious to others and learn to love them and accept them just as they are. Fight the good fight of faith with everything in you, despite the cost. If you are called to be a king or leader like Aragorn, thank God for that. Step into the spheres of influence that He gives you with grace and with integrity. Make a difference and release His Kingdom in the earthly realms He takes you into, with humility and joy.

Don’t feel resentful or insignificant and shrink back if you’re called to be a hobbit, and don’t feel embarrassed, awkward or prideful if you are called to be a king - take your place! How boring it would be if we were all elves, all wizards, or all hobbits!  What a pointless story it would be, if the characters in The Lord of the Rings were all the same. The beauty and impact of that story is found in the fact that there were so many diverse characters, but they all put aside their personal agendas for the greater good, in order to save their world.

So don’t waste your life trying to be someone who Father has not made you to be. Celebrate who YOU are. Come to a place of acceptance and decide right now to love yourself, because it’s only when we love and celebrate ourselves that we can truly love and celebrate others.

Mother Theresa could reach people who most of us would never have been able to reach, whereas Christians who speak into the lives of national leaders can impact people who Mother Theresa wouldn’t have had access to. Both these extremes, and everything in between, are vitally important.

So, whether hobbit or wizard, elf or dwarf, be authentically you, and whatever challenges life throws at you, face them head on!

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Nicky Heymans is an author of historical fiction who is known for drawing fresh life and inspiration out of familiar Bible stories. She would love to hear from you! Please feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions by scrolling down to the bottom of this page and clicking on the 'contact' link, and she will get back to you.