Abel Magwitch

In the Dickens’ story Great Expectations there was nothing more scary than seeing the young 7 year old Pip find the escaped convict , Abel Magwitch in the marshlands . Chained , covered in mud , wet and desperate the escaping Magwitch begs for help from young Pip. A file to cut the chain and food to cut the hunger. Pip steals both to help him.

Unbeknown Pip grows up under the help of others in particular Jaggers the aptly named lawyer whose client Magwitch secretly funds Pip’s upbringing as a Gentleman. It is a story of one good turn deserves another and of life’s connected dots that do so often not suit our ideal scenario. The help of Magwitch remains constant until such time as he is no longer Abel and is captured dashing Pip’s great expectations as his fortune is confiscated.

Pip’s benefactor is uncovered to be a criminal funding from stolen gains and not from Miss Havisham whose eccentricity matches Pip’s ideal scenario especially as she is Godmother to Estella whom Pip has unrequited love. In Life we often receive help from an unknown source and can grow to resent the giver as it doesn’t suit our picture. Like Pip discovering the unpleasant truth he is ashamed of association with the terrible Abel. Our pride can eradicate our gratitude.

Magwitch shows what was meant for evil can be turned to good and he in turn and through events finds that Estelle is his daughter whom he fathered and then thought dead. Pip eventually had love returned and Magwitch dies knowing that Pip and Estelle his two beloved are to together in love. Finally Abel sees his heritage and his purpose in life’s plan. Can you begin to see yours as you look back on your life and the year past. Pip finds his real treasure in the love of Estelle and Magwitch blessed by the Union of the two, rewarded not by file or food but in an unimaginable way. Ultimate victory comes in a way least expected. Have you seen an outcome of great joy in a way least expected. I have.

Did help ever come your way from an unexpected not wholly convenient source ? For many God can work this way often resented by some and dismissed . Yet He can send help through others which may not match our own great expectations. Can you reach out this Christmas and help someone in need without them knowing? Try it and see what happens, what God does with your heart of good. That’s how it all works, yes truly.