The book, Pilgrim’s Progress, was written by John Bunyan and first published in 1678. It is still being sold today with various adaptations, updated language, and in multiple formats. A spiritual allegory, it was “at one time second only to the Bible in popularity” (Britannica.com).
I remember the children’s version from my own childhood and have read it several times over the past decades. When my children were young it was ‘bedtime reading’, and this summer I enjoyed reading it to our visiting grandchildren. Currently I am reading Helen L. Taylor’s version, Little Pilgrim’s Progress, to our Sunday school class of 8-year-old boys. There is much to learn from the story, and it is easy to see why it has withstood the test of time.
In 2002 Lael Arrington published Pilgrim’s Progress Today: Christian’s Quest Through the Modern World. It is a recreation of the original journey of Christian, but it takes place in modern times in our contemporary world. It was timely when she first wrote it but perhaps increasingly so in our world today. Currently I’m reading and discussing it with 2 friends and highly recommend doing this.
The book is filled with promise, hope, warning, and caution. The title reveals that it is the story of the main character (Christian’s) journey forward in life. The way is fraught with dangers and obstacles, setbacks, stops and starts. There are choices to be made, challenges to overcome, battles to win, mistakes made, and victories achieved. Once Christian chooses to leave the City of Destruction and head toward the Celestial City, he encounters fierce opposition and endures many unexpected trials. He finds that it is not an easy journey. The King equips him with everything he needs, including clear instructions, places to rest, a strong weapon, and guides to assist him along the way. But the wicked prince is relentless in his pursuit and uses various strategies appealing to the emotional and physical desires of the traveler.
And so it is today for those who take the narrow road leading to their eternal home, the home promised to those who believe what Jesus said in John 14:2, “I go to prepare a place for you…,” the place Paul wrote about when he said, “For our citizenship is in Heaven…” (Philippians 3:20). We face multiple temptations and fears, all designed to detour and distract us from following Christ. It takes commitment, dedication, desire, and love for God to keep us on the straight path. It takes an act of the will to tune out the distractions and to stop listening to the voices trying to pull us in a different direction, attempting to turn us back, and even then, we cannot do it in our own strength. We must walk in the strength of the One who loved us so much He went to the cross to make the way to God possible for us.
So, persevere, dear friend.
Hang onto hope and to the One who promised never to leave or forsake you.
2 choruses come to mind:
“It’s not an easy road we are traveling to Heaven, for many are the thorns on the way. It’s not an easy road, but the Savior is with us, His presence gives us joy every day.” (John W. Peterson, 1952).
And this one by Ludie Carrington Day Pickett, 1897. “No, never alone, No, never alone. He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone.”
Although you may feel lonely at times, you do NOT travel alone.
Press on,
Ruth
Reaching, Encouraging, Connecting 