A Hobbit Devotional (DiCarta) by Ed Strauss

Author:Ed Strauss [Strauss, Ed]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781630589776
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2014-08-15T22:01:00+00:00

33

Adrenaline and Love

He darted backwards and forwards, slashing at the spider-threads, hacking at their legs, and stabbing their fat bodies if they came too near.

THE HOBBIT, CHAPTER 8

Apart from going for leisurely walks around the Shire, the only physical activity Bilbo took part in was playing ninepins, dart-throwing, and such—though these low-action activities were more for enjoyment than for exercise. However, after he put on his invisible ring and looked for the dwarves, Bilbo found them wrapped up in spiderwebs, hanging from a branch, about to be devoured. He had to act immediately.

Bilbo picked up stones and felled two giant spiders, then began recklessly singing an insulting song to infuriate the others. Once he’d stirred them into a frothing rage, he led them off on a merry chase through the woods. When they were some distance away, very quietly—and quite invisibly—he hurried back to the dwarves. There was one spider left guarding them, and Bilbo immediately slew it. While he was cutting the dwarves free, however, the rest of the spiders returned. Hundreds of furious, hissing arachnids surrounded them and then attacked. The dwarves were so sick and stiff they could barely defend themselves. Bilbo, however, darted here and there, thrusting and stabbing with his elvish blade.

Finally, Bilbo instructed Thorin and company to break free while he led the spiders off in another direction. The dwarves did so but were still nearly overcome by spiders. Bilbo suddenly appeared beside them, and as he hacked and slashed at the enraged monsters, Thorin and company made good on their opportunity to escape.

The spiders finally gave up the chase, and the dwarves were effusive in their praise of their most remarkable hobbit hero. Their opinion of Mr. Baggins had radically changed. Small wonder, for Bilbo himself had radically changed. This fierce monster killer bore little resemblance to the refined, genteel hobbit who had quivered like a jelly on his rug three months earlier.

Maybe adrenaline can partly account for many of Bilbo’s heroic actions. After all, many a parent has suddenly found exceptional strength and courage when rescuing his or her child from danger. But long before the adrenaline kicks in, you have to love the one who’s in danger. Before you will put yourself in harm’s way for another’s sake, you have to consider that person worth saving. Unless you’re a professional soldier or policeman whose very job description is to “serve and protect,” you won’t do it. Even everyday heroes who risk their lives for total strangers are moved by a deep concern—yes, we can call it love—for their fellow man. This love, fueled by adrenaline, spurs them into action even in the face of great danger.

The Bible has plenty to say about this kind of love. It’s what motivated Jesus to lay down His life for us: “When we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6–8 NIV).

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