JRR Tolkien firmly believed that creativity could inspire courage, and that the portion of the mind which was inspired by tales of heroism needed to be activated and used. He found it an excellent way to help people counter being subsumed by a dark culture surrounding them. In the Lord of the Rings, I find it inspiring when Gimli says,
“Let them come. There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath.”
Faced with confirmation of the ruins of what was once great, Gimli refused to be dissuaded. He refused to succumb, or to scamper off with his tail between his legs. Instead, he boldly proclaimed the ideals and truths to which he clung, unwilling to give them up.
It’s something awesome to tell your kids. Instead of saying, “Hey, just be good, and try not to be offensive,” one can say, “Remember, you may be the only one left who yet draws breath, but much depends on your actions.”
The world wants to shape and mold us, to convince us that we must not boldly proclaim anything, lest we be scorned, mocked, ridiculed, and canceled…but maybe, if we are quiet and nod our heads weakly, they will let us keep our beliefs–for now.
But God reminds us to be like Gimili, noting in Hebrews “we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” So let them come. There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath.
One thought on “A Tale of Gimli and Boldness”
Another gem!