Little Pilgrim's Progress

 

When I was young, I borrowed the 1978 animated vhs of The Pilgrim’s Progress from our church library. I think I must have watched it fairly often because some of the details from that movie are etched in my mind. There are some pretty intense scenes: one where Christian and his companion fall into a swamp, one with a large black toothed creature trying to attack him before he gets to the Palace Beautiful. Right after he leaves the Palace he has to fight off a winged demon with his new armor, sword and shield.

         I remember when he arrives at the foot of the cross and his burden rolls off. The moment that sticks out to me most often, and is the origin story of why I love this verse so much, is when a loud, confident voice speaks to Christian in the midst of turmoil and says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b) Even as a young child, I found such hope in that line.

My kids and I just finished a 9-month read-aloud of The Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen L. Taylor, a delightfully illustrated version, written for kids where all of the characters are animals. It follows the steps that Christian takes in the original, but makes it conceptually simpler for young minds. My three were excited to listen to it and tracked the story well, understanding much of the imagery of “The Good Prince,” Theia often referring to him as Jesus as she asked questions about where the story was going.

I think about the little hearts that are beginning their own journeys of faith that are in my own home, or the kids in our church that are figuring out their relationships with the Lord. Some have faced major obstacles at a young age. Others have normal hurts and difficulties, but much of the way has been smooth. But all are just beginning this journey with the Good Prince, traveling through Vanity Fair or climbing the Rock of Error or facing The Giant Despair. All silly little names for real life challenges. But they’re also learning that they have Great Heart walking beside them, or the Messages from the King instructing them, and the cross removing their burdens.

 As we look at our own paths, we face the foolish directions we choose to take, or the arrows of the enemy we need help fending off, the peaceful meadows, and the houses of rest. It is something to look back and see what God has done, review the story He has written for our own life. To know that “He isn’t safe.” He’s the slayer of the giants, the ruler over all and the defeater of evil, “But He’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

 Then we look ahead to what is shining before us. We love the stories that tell the end of the journey where the hero reaches the next shore. The one that takes him home. The elves crossing the sea sailing West, Reepicheep coming to the end of the world and crossing into Aslan’s country, and Christian crossing the deep dark water to the city shining and glorious.

 “The little pilgrims had now reached the threshold of the palace, and as the doors were thrown open they heard a sound of the sweetest music. The Good Prince Himself was waiting to receive them, and He smiled upon them and took their hands in His own. Then he led them into the palace and the whole City was filled with joy because their pilgrimage was over and they had been brought safely through the Dark River into the presence of the King.” (The Little Pilgrims Progress pg 171)

 We read these stories because of the common grace they point us to. The reality that life can be hard and sinful and has loss and grief, but that our God has overcome this world. This world that is not our home, but it points to the next. So I hope for the children who are learning of the Good Prince. I pray they do come to know Him and know Him well. And I have hope for the rest of us that while we continue to learn and fall and rise and grow and dwell in the truth, our journey too points us toward the grace and goodness that we have now, but also will experience a thousand times greater in the Celestial City.

 

-Sandy Gromacki

 (In addition to John Bunyan’s tale, stories by C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien are also referenced. Feel free to ask what they are!)