It’s Okay to Call Out for Help

I was inquisitive enough to read “The Pilgrim’s Progress” over the last couple of days. Allegories aren’t my forte, but I did understand “Christian” was looking for the Celestial City throughout. I’m so visual that I needed technicolor and visual characters to help me grasp it. So, I rented the 2019 animated version on Amazon Prime. Aha! The lights in my brain flickered and brightened as I watched it. I was blessed.

I had heard others refer to the book by John Bunyan time and again. It was his greatest work and now, it has been a source of spiritual inspiration and help to countless readers. Translated into over 200 languages, it has never been out of print since the day it was first published in 1678. John Bunyan was arrested for preaching the gospel. His wife died leaving him with four children, one who was blind. Yet he refused to give up telling people the good news about Jesus. Certainly, out of his greatest tragedies, and while in prison, came a victory that still captures the hearts of millions – and better yet, many have come to see the Celestial City themselves – particularly by the way they live this life on this side of the Celestial City.

“The Pilgrim’s Progress” tells the story of a person called ‘Christian’ on a journey from his hometown to the Celestial City. On the way, he faces many strangers – some good for him and his faith and others that do their best to steal his faith and his life. He encounters incredible difficulties, challenges and obstacles, yet he perseveres faithfully to the end.

Honestly, as I read this book and saw the movie come to life, I was taken by the parallels of the times we are in today. We don’t need a book or movie to reveal that a Christian life is not always a piece-of-cake. I say a big “Amen!” to that! I’m so thankful that I was tight with Jesus and He guided and held me through some major tumultuous times. My life has been exciting AND perplexing enough that a book and movie could be written right alongside “The Pilgrim’s Progress”.

Truth is we all face many difficulties along life’s way. But, they don’t have to derail us. As I saw in this book/movie, if we go through difficult times while staying close to Jesus, we will emerge stronger, wiser, and even more Christ-like because of the trials, temptations, the tough times…..that don’t last, but tough people do. In fact they outlast all others, because if there’s one thing we know for sure – we live not just this life on earth….but those of us who follow the “Good Shepherd” and His paths, we’ll live forever and ever with Him. It’s a guarantee.

Throughout the Bible and in particular, the Psalm, we hear how David and others cried out to God for help. Have you ever poured out your complaints? I have. And, you know what? It’s okay. God has big shoulders. The truth is the sweet relationship we have with God isn’t always sweet. Sometimes we cry out for help and sometimes comfort just doesn’t come right away. I’ve been there and had some sleepless nights. “Christian” felt like God had rejected him and that he would never experience God’s favor again. So, it was with the psalmist. So, it was with John Bunyan. So, it was with Donna.

Here’s what I know. God is always there for us, telling us “Lay your burdens down at the feet of your King. Not one of the hairs on your head go unnoticed.” (That’s a line from the book, as well as scriptures in the Bible.) These photos show the heavy burden Christian carried until the closer he came to the cross – the more he was set free from his burden. Here is our consolation and assurance — no matter how we feel and no matter what we say, when we are crying for help – we can be assured that God wants us to be real with Him. He doesn’t want us to pretend that all is well. An earthly dad would want our truth. For sure, God wants to hear the cries of our heart. That draws us close to Him even in times of great distress.

Thank you, Lord, that you hear our cries for help. Thank you for not rejecting us, but holding us, taking our burdens from us and leading us closer to the cross where we are set free.

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” (Psalm 23:4)