Sir Gibbie – George MacDonald

I am reading The Poet & The Pauper (The Baronet’s Song/The Shepherds Castle) by George MacDonald. I read it years ago and remember that it took my breath away. It’s the story of a mute child, who, because of tragic circumstances, wandered away from the city of his birth. He ended up in the Scottish countryside, lived with an elderly couple, and learned the secret of a fulfilled life. Here are a few thought from what I read last night and this morning . . .

Not for years and years had Janet been to church. She had long been unable to walk so far, and having no book but the best, and no help to understand it but the highest, her faith was simple, strong, real, all-pervading. Day by day she poured over the great gospel until she had grown to be one of the noble ladies of the kingdom of heaven—one of those who inherit the earth and are ripening to see God. For the Master, and His mind in hers, was her teacher. She had little or no theology save what He taught her. To Janet, Jesus Christ was no object of so-called theological speculation, but a living Man who somehow or other heard her when she called to Him, and sent her the help she needed.

We are spoiled in the West. We have churches on every corner, bibles readily available for sale (and for free) at bookstores, etc.. Yet we seem to lack the faith and intimacy that is described above. We rarely have (or make) time for the quiet reflection that is necessary in order for this kind of faith to take root in our hearts.

Some churches and denominations in Christianity discourage any sort of seeking that is private. There is a misguided fear that a “layperson” will be easily swayed from what they have been taught to be truth (as if a religious leader is somehow immune to swaying, swerving, or falling away?). This type of thinking has sadly made it impossible for many people to actually enter into a deep relationship with God. Is the God of the universe not able to help the seeker find? Jesus promised that all who seek are welcome . . . even children. God is confident in his ability to reveal himself. In fact, his way has always been to deal directly with us—we miss out when we refuse to take advantage of his call to come unto me.

The  “heroes of the faith” listed in Hebrews (Abraham, etc..) were very much like the old woman listed above. They were often isolated, without much fellowship. They had no bible, no devotional books, no writings from so-called “fathers of the faith” to study . . . some had no religious teaching whatsoever. But their faith was incredible. Why? Because they had encountered God himself. He himself taught them and kept them true.

There is a place for instruction, for fellowship, for accountability with one another. But nothing can or should ever replace the precious opportunity we have to draw near to God and discover for ourselves that he is everything he says he is.

Gibbie obeyed more than willingly, and thus had his first lesson in the chief thing worth learning. I cannot tell how or what were the slow stages by which his mind budded and swelled until the knowledge of God burst into that house and took possession of it. I cannot even tell in what shape He appeared in Gibbie’s thoughts. For Janet never suspected how utter was Gibbie’s ignorance. She never dreamed that he did not know what was generally said about Jesus Christ. So, teaching him only that which she loved, not that which she had been taught, Janet read to Gibbie of Jesus, and talked to him of Jesus, until at length his whole soul was full of the Man, of His doings, of His words, of His thoughts, of His life. Almost before he knew, he was trying to fashion his life after that of the Master. Janet had no inclination to trouble her own head, or Gibbie’s heart, with what men call the plan of salvation. It was enough to her to find that he followed her Master.

George MacDonald’s point was not that religious teaching is inappropriate or unnecessary. He was trying to remind his readers that sharing one’s faith should be simple—we should not complicate faith by adding concepts to it before someone has even embraced it, because true faith is simple: follow God’s call, obey it. Awaken to more truth. Repeat.

I wonder how much Gibbie was indebted to constrained silence during all these years. That he lost by it, no one will doubt; that he gained also, a few will admit. I cannot doubt it bore an important part in the fostering of the visionary thoughts and feelings and actions now growing inside him. . . . He was listening with the same ears, and trying to see with the same eyes which he brought to bear upon the things Janet taught him out of the Book. . . . Gibbie was always placing what he heard by the side of what he knew, asking himself what Jesus would have done, or what He would require of a disciple. . . . he always took refuge in doing something—and doing it better than before . . . as if by instinct he perceived that the only hope in understanding lies in doing {obedience}. He would run to do the things he had learned yesterday, when as yet he could find no answer to the question of today. Thus, as the weeks of solitude and thought glided by, the reality of Christ grew upon him, till, in the very rocks and heather and the faces of the sheep he felt His presence everywhere. One of my favorite things about reading George MacDonald is that I am reminded of how real God is. He is so near. He longs to know us and to make Himself known.I’ll do my best to post more as I continue reading this precious book! If you are interested in reading it, the unedited version is available for free on iBooks under Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald. Although I suggest you begin with Thomas Wingfold, Curate (otherwise known as The Curate of Glaston), if you are new to George MacDonald’s work.

Thomas Wingfold, Curate on iBooks

Sir Gibbie on iBooks

The waking of a human soul to know itself arouses so heavy a sense of marvel and inexplicable mystery.

1 Comment. Leave new

  • Donald Greig
    March 27, 2014 8:21 am

    You’ve inspired me to read these. And thank you for posting your comments. They’re excellent.

    Reply

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