George MacDonald (* 10. Dezember 1824 in Huntly, Schottland; † 18. September 1905) war ein schottischer Schriftsteller, Dichter und Pfarrer. Als Gott ihn vom Land in die dreckige Stadt London berief, schrieb er folgendes Gedicht. Es spiegelt ein wenig von dem Opfer wieder, das wir bringen dürfen, auch wenn wir nicht in einer verdreckten Weltmetropole leben.
The Streets I Feared to See
I said: “Let me walk in the field;”
God said: “Nay, walk in the town;”
I said: “There are no flowers there;”
He said, “No flowers, but a crown.”
I said: “But the sky is black,
There is nothing but noise and din;”
But He wept as He sent me back,
“There is more,” He said, “there is sin.”
I said: “But the air is thick,
And fogs are veiling the sun.”
He answered: “Yet souls are sick,
And souls in the dark undone.”
I said: “I shall miss the light,
And friends will miss me, they say,”
He answered me, “Choose tonight,
If I am to miss you, or they.”
I pleaded for time to be given;
He said: “Is it hard to decide?
It will not seem hard in heaven
To have followed the steps of your Guide.”
I cast one look at the fields,
Then set my face to the town;
He said: “My child, do you yield?
Will you leave the flowers for the crown?”
Then into His hand went mine,
And into my heart came He;
And I walk in a light Divine,
The streets I had feared to see.
By George MacDonald (1824-1905)
