When a book chooses you

 

Photo by D A V I D S O N L U N A on Unsplash

It began as just a regular bimble, nothing unusual. 

Then we bumped into a friend from church, who was running, which was unusual for him, especially when he said where he was running to. He was running to Mordor. 

Yes, that really is what he said, and no, he's not been delusional. In fact, I've started running there myself too. Let me explain...

We've taken on a virtual quest through a company called The Conqueror. You can go anywhere. From John O Groats to Kilimanjaro. From the Great Wall of China to The South Downs Way. And you get medals too! An excellent added motivation to exercise. 

And with 1,1067k to go before my next medal, I'm going to need that motivation!

And what else will help with motivation? The book. Of course!

As I began this challenge, I decided it would make total sense to read the novel. I read the Hobbit, a few years ago and it took me ages. It was a bedside book, so I only read a few pages at a time, so I feared this would be the same. It turned out I was wrong. I'm gripped and in awe at the magic of Tolkien's writing, the subtle humour and, slightly stunned at how this book chose me!

I get to page 42, and this is what I read:

So it went on, until his forties were running out, and his fiftieth birthday was drawing near; fifty was a number that he felt was somehow significant (or ominous); it was at any rate at that age that adventure had suddenly befallen Bilbo.

Yes, confession time, I'm turning 50 this year, in November. So you can imagine my surprise when I read those words. I wrote a post in July 2021, about how God can show up in a book when you least expect it. This feels a little more like God gently saying, as he does, how he's involved in every stage of my life, as Psalm 139:5 expresses perfectly You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. 

I don't know what awaits me in the next 24 hours, let alone when I hit this major milestone, but God does, and that's comforting. So as Biblo says 'I'm going on an adventure!' in more ways then one. 

I'd love to hear if a books chosen you, and if you've read a book that matches your age. Let me know in tbe comments or on Facebook. 

And if I've inspired you to also go to Mordor, then let me know and I'll send you the link. I'm sure they'll be further blogs as I get further on my trek and deeper into this tremendous classic!

 

 

Martin is a writer, baker, photographer and storyteller. He's been published in the ACW Christmas anthology and Lent devotional. He's currently honing his craft at flash fiction and you can find him on Twitter here.