The Unexpected Journey

Spiritual Lessons from The Hobbit

I’ve always loved Tolkien’s Middle Earth, well almost always. The Hobbit was published when I was five and I first read it when I was twelve, so maybe not always, but for the last three quarters of a century I have loved J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth. Not just for the magic of Middle Earth, though that would be enough, but for the way his stories illuminate life, courage, and faith. The Hobbit, though originally written as a children’s tale, is brimming with lessons for anyone navigating the twists and turns of a journey far bigger than themselves.

Bilbo Baggins

Bilbo is not the kind of hero we expect. Comfortable in his hobbit-hole, predictable routines, and quiet life, he is suddenly thrust into adventure—unexpected, inconvenient, and dangerous. I can relate. Life rarely asks permission before inviting us into journeys that stretch us, challenge our assumptions, and call for courage we didn’t know we had. At the story’s outset, Bilbo hesitates. He first refuses Gandalf’s invitation, clinging to the comfort of the familiar.

How often do we do the same? How often do we shy away from challenges God places before us because they feel inconvenient or risky?

Yet Gandalf sees something Bilbo cannot: beneath his fear lies hidden potential for courage, resourcefulness, and wisdom. Life often works this way—we are capable of more than we realize, even when we feel inadequate.

Consider Abraham’s call in Genesis 12:1-4.

God says to Abraham (then Abram): "Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you."

Abraham had no map, no clear plan, and no way to know what awaited him. God called him on an unexpected journey. He was to leave behind comfort, security, and familiarity. Abraham’s journey stretched him, challenged his assumptions about life and God, and required courage he likely didn’t know he had. Yet, stepping out in faith, he became the father of a great nation and a model of trust in God.

Bilbo is fictional. Abraham is not. Tolkien was an ardent Christian who used his craft of storytelling to help us understand how God often calls us into unexpected journeys, before we feel ready.

Gollum

As Bilbo steps outside the Shire, he encounters trolls, goblins, spiders, and, in the darkest of caves he encounters a creature named Gollum. In the dark caves, Bilbo confronts fear, isolation, and temptation. He discovers the magic ring—though its full significance is hidden from him—and must choose whether to act with integrity or succumb to selfishness. This is the moment where character is forged. Each challenge requires him to grow—mentally, emotionally, and morally.

There’s a spiritual parallel here: life is full of dangers, obstacles, and temptations. Just as Bilbo cannot rely solely on strength or luck, we cannot rely only on ourselves. Faith, humility, and wisdom are essential gifts of God’s grace made manifest by relying on Him.

In our own lives, we face “Gollums”—moments of temptation and fear that test our values. In those moments, no matter how we feel, the truth is that

…greater is He who is in you than He who is in the world(1John 4:4 ESV).

The Dwarves

Bilbo’s journey is with twelve unlikely companions: dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield. To say the least, they are not easy to get along with. They are proud, stubborn, and at times difficult. Yet their collective strengths, combined with Bilbo’s growing resourcefulness, allow the group to accomplish what none could alone. This reminds me of the importance of community and companions in life. We are stronger, wiser, and more resilient when we journey together—even when our companions challenge us.

Along the way, Bilbo discovers courage he never imagined he had. His heroism is quiet, often subtle, but profoundly effective. He outsmarts trolls, rescues companions from giant spiders, and negotiates with Smaug the dragon. Each step shows us that heroism is not about fame or recognition but about stepping up when called, often in ways unseen by the world. In life, the small acts of courage—decisions to speak truth, offer help, or act faithfully—shape us more than dramatic gestures.

Tolkien also weaves a sense of providence into the story. Bilbo’s journey seems accidental at first, yet events—both dangerous and confusing—work together to bring about growth, wisdom, and unexpected good. Tolkien is reminding us of God’s unseen hand in our lives. While we cannot always trace the path, even missteps and fears can be woven into a larger story that is ultimately for our good.

Smaug

The climax—the confrontation with Smaug—illustrates another spiritual lesson: pride and greed are destructive, both for the individual and the community. Thorin’s fixation on the treasure blinds him to friendship, compassion, and wisdom, leading to tragedy. This is a timeless warning: the pursuit of wealth, recognition, or power at the expense of character or relationships is a perilous path. Bilbo, by contrast, values people over gold, service over self-interest, and wisdom over ambition. These priorities allow him to navigate danger and grow in character.

Peter Jackson’s adaptation of The Hobbit to the big screen took three movies. I was doubtful there were three movies in this small book but I was wrong. His movies captured the spirit of the unexpected journey. Both Tolkien’s book and Jackson’s movies bring the adventure and its consequent lessons vividly to life. From Martin Freeman’s nuanced portrayal of Bilbo’s uncertainty and courage to the heroism of the epic battles, the films brought The Hobbit to life. The external adventure does not overshadow the internal growth of the characters. In particular, we see how fear and courage coexist, how loyalty and integrity shape outcomes, and how even the smallest person can make a difference.

At The End of The Unexpected Journey

Bilbo returns home changed, wiser, and more resilient. He carries experiences, friendships, and lessons that shape the remainder of his life.

Similarly, our journeys—spiritual, emotional, or physical—leave us transformed. The struggles we face, the challenges we overcome, and the courage we discover within ourselves have lasting value, shaping who we are and how we approach life.

Whenever I reading The Hobbit or watch Jackson’s film version, I am reminded that life is rarely a straight path. We are all called, at some point, into adventures we cannot fully anticipate. We encounter trolls, Gollums, and dragons—challenges, fears, and temptations. But we also encounter Gandalf-like guides, loyal companions, and moments of grace that help us grow. Faith, courage, integrity, and community are our tools; humility, wisdom, and discernment are our guides. And when we return home—changed, perhaps a little battered, but wiser—we recognize how Jesus was with us every step of the journey sympathizing with our weaknesses and being our strength:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15 ESV)

Tolkien’s story is more than a tale of hobbits and dragons. It is a reflection on the human heart and the spiritual journey. It reminds us that even the smallest person can make a profound difference, that courage is often quiet, and that our journeys—though unexpected—are filled with purpose, growth, and providence.

So, as we step into our own adventures—whether big or small—I hope we remember Bilbo. May we be willing to leave the comfort of our own “Shire” when called, confront our fears with integrity, and walk the road with courage, wisdom, and humility. And above all, may we trust that even when the path is uncertain, there is meaning and growth in every step we take in faith.

The unexpected journey, after all, often teaches us the most.