Progress Reports

I referenced John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress a couple posts ago, and now come back to a particular idea I have been processing in reading the book. For those of you who are unfamiliar, I first recommend that you amend this situation by buying a copy of the Oxford Classic edition (it has helpful scripture references listed in the margin) as soon as you are willing and able. For now, I'll summarize: the novel tells of a dream- one that follows a man named Christian on his journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. Along the way, Christian is met with all sorts of obstacles and difficulties, all of which serve to test and strengthen his faith. John Bunyan, who writes the novel while imprisoned for preaching the gospel, uses striking imagery and beautiful prose to illustrate his puritanical (referencing the era in which he wrote) understanding of Christian discipleship in such a way that distinctively challenges our contemporary understanding of following Christ.

The particular idea upon which I think and write tonight is the imagery of running. It is a picture used throughout the Bible to describe the way we are to pursue Christ-

1 Corinthians 9:24, 26 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it...So I do not run aimlessly...

Galatians 2:2 I...set before them the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had run in vain.

Philippians 2:16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ, I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Here's the question- ARE WE ACTUALLY RUNNING? Are we actually sprinting full speed ahead towards the prize of an eternity with Christ? Are we actually racing on in order that we cross the finish line as soon as possible?

Or are we actually just ambling along? Are we actually just moseying about, stopping to glance at every pleasant thing that catches our eye? Are we actually just lolly-gagging our way, assured that we will make it there someday, even if our pace is a bit slow?

If the latter more aptly describes our pursuit of Christ, what if it simply doesn't cut it? It certainly wouldn't in a race where there is a prize to be won. Ambling, moseying, and lolly-gagging never earned anybody anything except maybe looking cute while doing it (ask Maggie and Mollie, pictured above- they walk incredibly slowly, but look ridiculously cute in the process).

It simply did not cut it for Christian in his leaving the City of Destruction-

So I saw in my dream, that the Man (Christian) began to run; Now he had not run far from his own door, but his Wife and Children perceiving it, began to cry after him to return: but the Man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on crying 'Life, Life, Eternal Life.'

If we consider ourselves disciples of Christ; pilgrims on the journey; runners of the race- I think we may be in need of a progress report. Let us ask the Lord how we can improve our stride, and how we can fine-tune our technique. May His Spirit counsel, guide, and enable us in our adjustments, and may He strengthen our spiritual legs for the road ahead. And may he continue to give us hope for the end of that of that road, where He sits enthroned in all His glory forevermore.