Peace
The Key
I grew up in beautiful, upstate New York where my father, Jack, was the pastor of a little country church. Life was not perfect but there are rich memories. Love and sacrifice were part of our lives and carried us through some hard times.
My mother, Dorothy, was a wonderful storyteller and passed some of that love of a good story on to her children. Mom could make any tale come to life. Often our family times, at the supper table, were spent in hilarious laughter over incidents that had not seemed all that funny a few hours earlier. Things that made me cringe with embarrassment during the school day had a lighter side when recounted in the security of family togetherness, empathy and love.
Mom, and several other people, often told stories to children’s classes at our church. One all time favorite was Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. The story is an allegory, comparing life on this earth to a journey. Mom would have every child in her class “on the edge of his seat” as we “traveled” with Pilgrim. Bunyan introduces character after character into Pilgrim’s life. Each one has an effect on Pilgrim and he learns much from the people he meets along the way. As you can imagine some of Pilgrim’s new acquaintances are a tremendous help to his journey and others serve mostly as bad examples.
Pilgrim also visits unique places along life’s road. The great King in the Celestial City represents God. He loves Pilgrim and wants him to complete the journey well. His desire is that finally one day Pilgrim will come to live with Him. One of my favorite parts of the story is when Pilgrim gets off the right path with his friend, Hopeful. They are captured by Giant Despair and thrown into Doubting Castle where they are held as prisoners. After many days they remember that they have a key to unlock the castle and be free again. Their key was the promise of God.
Although that was one of my very favorite parts of the story of Pilgrim’s Progress, I have found that being captured by “despair” and living in “doubting castle” are definitely not my favorite parts of life’s journey. There is nothing funny, exciting, or entertaining about the devastating experiences of life as we go through them. Many times they are completely unexpected and we find ourselves somewhat unprepared.
Recently, my own journey has been difficult with major obstacles and disappointments. It is so important, during times of great sadness to use the key, (the wonderful truths and promises of God). Here are some that have seen me through. I pray they will bless you as well.
Matthew 19:26b: “…with God all things are possible.”
II Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Romans 8:38,39 “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life…nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”