The Pilgrim’s Progress

Out of times of our greatest brokenness God births beautiful works for His glory!

I was thinking about that while I set up the movie “Pilgrim’s Progress” for a group of high school girls at Oceans Retreat Center.  None of them had ever heard of John Bunyan nor his famous allegory first published in 1678; an amazing book that has never been out of print and translated into more than 200 languages.

These young ladies were about to encounter one of the greatest stories outside of Scripture about the narrow path of salvation and the journey of a true disciple of Jesus.  Bunyan wrote this timeless story during a lengthy imprisonment from 1660 to 1672. Much like the Apostle Paul who wrote many of his powerful letters from prison, Bunyan was in prison for preaching the Gospel outside the established rules of the church of England.

The church in Bunyan’s day was spiritually dead and directly linked with political forces of the day. He was so moved by the Holy Spirit to speak the truth of the Gospel that he preached outside of the church buildings and in streets and homes.  Even though the enemy hoped to silence Bunyan with jail time, God used this seemly unfortunate situation for a story to unfold that would capture minds and hearts with the truth of the Gospel and what means to follow Christ for almost 350 years.

Out of John Bunyan’s season of isolation and separation from loved ones and friends The Spirit birthed a literary masterpiece teaching Biblical truths which would transform millions over the years, including some teen age girls in South Africa. If you haven’t read it or seen a movie on it, I believe it would bless you, especially in light of the days we are living in. In fact the 2019 computer animated film we watched is well done and good for all ages. It will encourage you in your walk of faith and remind you that this world is not our home. We are pilgrims on our way to a celestial city to live forever with our loving Father and Savior God.

Bunyan’s life and the book Pilgrim’s Progress is an inspiration during this pandemic, the political craziness, and a cultural spinning out of control and believe it or not  this is when our Sovereign God does great works. I can’t wait to see what our Father is going to birth out of all the brokenness of 2020. Just like John Bunyan, the Apostle Paul, and you & me God uses times of brokenness to birth beautiful works for His glory!

“My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness,” (2 Cor. 12:8).