Spiritual Sunday: Yessesse Sanaron

One of my favorite movies of all time is Lord of the Rings. I tend to lump the trilogy into a single film due to the fact that it is a single story. I remember watching The Fellowship of the Ring in the theater. I entered the dark auditorium skeptical. You see, I fancied myself a wizened and opinionated conesuir of fantasy stories. As many do after entering a room through the wrong door, I assumed that the door from which I entered was the front door. Little did I know that as I sat in my seat that I was about to partake of the fantasy epic that spawned so many of the fantasy stories I ignorantly held above it.

I was immediately drawn in by the sprawling beauty of Middle Earth as envisioned by Peter Jackson and his crew. The characters were as rich in detail and appeal as the scenery they trod purposefully through. Needless to say, I had a lot of reading ahead of me. The Lord of the Rings must be read before the next film debuted.

That was my introduction to J.R.R. Tolkien. From then on, my life has always been influenced by his writing and beliefs. The more I read, the more captivated I became. Interestingly, it was in The Silmarillion that I found the most joy.

Usually regarded as a wonderful source book for the later written stories, The Silmarillion illustrated the creation of Middle Earth, its inhabitants, and the course of the world that so many have come to appreciate. I enveloped myself in tales of the Chorus of the Ainur, the Valar, Melkor's betrayal, and the creation of the Silmarils.

History upon history poured out before me, each tale rich with myth. From Turin to Glorfindel and the Balrog, I was lost to the beauty that Tolkien created. It would take me days to explore each tale and express exactly why each one carried with it significance. I won't bore you.

My point is, this often overlooked book is worth a read to anyone who has ever imagined a world.

In creating his masterwork, Tolkien furthered my belief in the opportunity man has to become like God. I feel the excitement in my veins as I explore this imaginary world. I feel the images flow through my mind as I realize the creation of the world I have imagined. In this small way, I fulfill my role as a son of God. I conceive. I write. I create.

I love you. I will write to you tomorrow.