It has been fairly exactly a year since we last explored a
lesson from a literary classic. In truth, I was stunned when I realized it had
been that long! So let us end the drought by looking at a nineteenth-century
Scottish author who inspired C. S. Lewis and whose books have been
re-popularized in recent years through Michael Phillips’s editorial work. His
name is George MacDonald, and he possesses that Austen-esque intuition into the
human condition with the added potency spiritual astuteness.
Having known of him for some time, it wasn’t until a few
months ago, when a friend let me borrow one of his trilogies republished under
the new title The Curate of Glaston,
that I became acquainted with his work first-hand. I’m reading the last of the
three novels currently, and MacDonald’s work so far has proved to be the kind
that leaves me almost speechless from the sheer volume of truth it contains.
Sometimes, the only thing I can think to say, on repeat, is,
“It’s just so good.” So good, in fact, that I could probably write a dozen
“Lessons from Literature” posts just from the two novels I’ve already read. But
let’s just start with one, shall we?
In previous posts in this series, we’ve seen truths
expressed through the characters’ actions and some through the author’s
commentary. MacDonald’s writings are full of both. In reading them we can learn
much, both from what his characters do, say, and think and from his direct addresses
to his audience. In this post, we’ll look at two passages of direct address that
shed light on a central theme—namely, being fully ourselves.
We live in a culture that is preoccupied—even obsessed—with
individuality, being confident in who we are, not being intimidated into hiding
our “true selves.” But no one seems to think much about how we actually know
who our true selves are. Do we get to define what makes us “us”?
If we listened to our culture, we would hear it say,
“Absolutely! You define your own destiny. You can be whoever you want to be.”
And in some small way, that is true insofar as we have been given the ability
to make choices that have consequences that, in turn, can shape our
circumstances and even our attitudes, mindsets, and personal contexts out of
which we evaluate and respond to others. But is any of that what creates our
core identity?
MacDonald doesn’t think so. He declares in The Lady’s Confession (originally titled
Paul Faber, Surgeon), “Only
in the unfolding of the Christ in every man or woman can the individuality, his
or her genuine personality, the flower of his nature, be developed and
perfected in its own distinct loveliness” (p. 193). Read that sentence
again—slowly—and let it sink in. It’s message is in direct conflict with what
our society’s impression of Christianity is, but it’s in complete agreement
with God’s Word.
Society often has the idea that becoming a Christian
involves joining a community that strips you of the “freedom to be yourself”
and makes you a cookie-cutter person following a set of rules. The world
doesn’t understand that while we do, in a sense, lose ourselves when we follow
Christ (Matthew 16:24, Galatians 2:20), we are only losing the worst part of
us—our identity as sinners, our selfish desires, and pride—so that the best
part of us—our God-given personalities, talents, and gifts—can actually
flourish as our identity becomes children of God.
Instead of the reality being that following Christ squashes
a person’s individuality, the exact opposite is true—we can never truly be
ourselves outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Why? Because God is the
One who created us in His own image and, therefore, designed every part of who
we are (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:14).
When we speak of our “fallen human nature,” there is no
comma between “fallen” and “human.” The two words are not adjectives both
equally describing “nature.” Instead, “fallen” describes “human.” In other
words, Adam and Eve were perfectly themselves before they rebelled against God
(and event we call The Fall); they were completely whole, fully human as God
had designed them. But after their rebellion they were not complete. Their
human nature was broken and flawed, and they were not able to be fully
themselves.
As their descendants, we are born with the same problem, the
same fractured nature. That’s why it is only when we let God inform us through
His Word and His Spirit (who lives within us when we become God’s children)
that we can know who we really are and live accordingly. And it is only then
that we will find personal satisfaction and fulfillment.
A related truth that is counter to the world’s message is
that our individuality is not best displayed in being self-sufficient. Especially
in America, we’re all about “picking ourselves up” and taking pride in our
personal independence. But is that the mark of a truly successful life? Will
that bring satisfaction?
Again, MacDonald doesn’t think so. He explains through his
character Thomas Wingfold’s words: “He is not the greatest man who is most independent,
but he who thirsts most after a conscious harmony with every element and
portion of the mighty whole, and who demands from every region its influences
to perfect his individuality. […] The finest and strongest is that which to
live must breathe essential life, self-willed life, God himself” (p.
112). The “mighty whole” he speaks of is God, the One in whom is the fullness
of life, indeed, who is the origin of life itself. It is only in recognizing
our need for something—or Someone—outside of and far greater than ourselves and
in finding that need met in God that we become strong and can become most fully
ourselves.
As Jesus (i.e. God) Himself said, “Abide in me, and I in
you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine,
neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches.
Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart
from me you can do nothing. […] These things I have spoken to you, that my joy
may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:4-5, 11, ESV). True,
enduring growth, flourishing, and joy can only come through Jesus.
We have a Creator who has designed us specifically,
masterfully, and caringly, and He calls us to Himself so that in bearing fruit
and becoming more like Christ we finally can be our true selves in order to
display His glory and further His kingdom. He has made us who we are, and He
uses who we are to bring glory to His Name. What a beautiful, encouraging,
humbling truth to absorb!
Source: MacDonald, George (Phillips, Michael, ed.) The Curate of Glaston. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1986.
