(*) Mr. Great-Heart, E-Mail from a 400 year old book (The Pilgrim's Progress)

I have been working on this book called the The Pilgrim’s Progress, written by John Bunyan during his imprisonment around 1676. John Bunyan was an English preacher who had a passion to share the Good News to his fellow countrymen. Because of his passion for The Way, he suffered much. He preached in the neighborhood of Bedford, England between the years of 1655 to 1660; then he was arrested and put into the Bedford County Gaol (prison) for 12 years for committing the crime of preaching openly the messages of Christ. He was let go for a few weeks to go home during the Great Plague, but as a man of integrity and respect for authority and reverence for the LORD, he re-admitted himself back into the prison after the plague to finish his sentence. He had become the courageous example of sharing his compelling message of Love in the Gospels in the face of adversity.

I love this book, though it was an interesting read in the original Old English (modern versions are available), the allegories of a Christian’s journey is true to all of our journeys. The book was written in 2 parts, first part was published in 1678 and the second part was published in 1685. The first part describes the journey of one called “Christian,” who has decided to leave his life in the “City of Destruction” and make his way toward the “Celestial City.” Christian is one who has recognized that he had been carrying a break-back load of burdens called ‘sin,’ in a place that is going to be destroyed. Christian is also one who has come to realize that there is no salvation for his burden other than taking a journey to the Celestial City by way of coming to the foot of the cross. At the foot of the cross, Christian met with the sacrificial atonement of Christ, who gave Christian a gift of Grace (shedding of the burden, a new robe of righteousness, and a scroll to guide and guarantee for admittance into the Celestial City).

Part 2 of the book describes the journey of Christian’s wife and children toward this Celestial City after their initial rejection of making the journey with Christian. When they made the journey, they hear of the trials of and triumphs of their husband/father in his journey. They see evidences of bloodshed by Christian while fighting off beasts such as Lions, Giants of Despair, Apollyon, and various evil characters in the way.

The story tells of a Christian’s journey from start to end with all the expectations of evil and good characters in between. It is almost like a road map for what it is like if you so chose to follow Christ. The choice to become a Christ-follower is not easy. There are times we must fight, stand firm, not to be persuaded, not to fall to slumber, to pray for encouragements and help, and to be an encouragement to others on this journey. I have a short conversation that I want to share with you, this is a discourse between Christian’s wife, Christiana, and Mr. Great-Heart, a minister sent by God to guide us in the journey. Mr. Great-Heart’s respond to Christiana's question after he had beaten an evil one called Maul:

Chr: "But where you not afraid, good sir, when you saw him [a wicked on called Maul] came with his club [to attack]?"
Mr GH: "It is my duty, said he, to distrust mine own ability, that I may have reliance on Him that is stronger than all."
Chr: "But what did you think when he fetched you down to the ground at the first blow?"
Mr GH: "Why, I thought, quoth he, that so my Master Himself was served, and yet He it was that conquered at last."

As I was reading this morning, I was encouraged that, as Mr GH resort to God for strength while staring fear in the face; we should forsake our own weaknesses and abilities so that Christ would shine. It is not about what is in our way, it is about knowing the promise of God for your eternity, that you are never going to be kept from entering the Celestial City if you maintain your courage to the end. And if you perceive your courage failing, then petition and cry out for HELP, our Lord had promised to be FAITHFUL AND LOYAL, to provide us EVERY NEED to overcome our grief so we can continue to pursue Him.

HE IS ALL YOU AND I NEED. The most discerned and wise person knows what he/she doesn’t know and cries out for help whenever he/she needs. Never be too proud or ashamed to ask for help. God is faithful to provide and He has promised to NEVER ABANDON YOU.

This book is only second to The Holy Bible, which is the most printed and most translated book on Earth. You should read it and may it encourage you more than it encouraged me. To Him be the source of our pride and strength :)