[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cAlas, poor man! is the celestial glory of so small esteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazards of a few difficulties to obtain it?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

-John Bunyan, The Pilgrim\u2019s Progress<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Such seems to be the bargain, the long term gain we must seek beyond the short term gain. This line from Bunyan\u2019s The Pilgrim\u2019s Progress<\/em>, one of many quotable maxims from the text, refers to a character called \u201cPliable,\u201d who, though beginning his journey with enthusiasm, turned back at the first sign of hardship. Because of present difficulty he turned back to the \u201cCity of Destruction,\u201d never to seek the celestial city again. Hence the sadness\u2014\u201cAlas, poor man!\u201d If only he had persevered.<\/p>\n

Which is a good thing to remember in these early weeks of Lent, and loudly: PERSEVERE! Yes, the spiritual life is hard, the disciplines of Lent too; yes, it\u2019s hard simply to be a Christian. Yet, we must remember we are children of Abraham, the promised inheritors of a kingdom, if we\u2019ll but be faithful! Abraham was asked to count stars and imagine many nations. Jesus was transfigured, showing us our brilliant destiny. But again, only if we are faithful and persevere! That\u2019s what all this Lent stuff is about; it\u2019s about training us to persevere as Christians.<\/p>\n

Which is what we should do, keep struggling! Even if you fail, get up and keep going! No matter the hardship, keep walking the pilgrim way of Christ. It\u2019s the whole spiritual point of Lent: to strengthen the soul for the journey to heaven, to not turn back.<\/p>\n

And so, how\u2019s Lent going? If it\u2019s going terribly, don\u2019t worry! Just repent, confess, laugh, and move on. Just don\u2019t be like that sad character, Pliable. Don\u2019t turn back on the path of life. Because that\u2019s not what God wants for you. Because he wants you with him.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \u201cAlas, poor man! is the celestial glory of so small esteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazards of a few difficulties to obtain it?\u201d -John Bunyan, The Pilgrim\u2019s Progress\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3148,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[49,25,208,207],"yoast_head":"\n