DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PILGRIM'S PROGRESS -- THE HILL OF DIFFICULTY

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS – THE HILL OF DIFFICULTY

"And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself….." (Acts 20:22=24a)

"I saw, then, that they all went on until they came to the foot of the Hill of Difficulty, at the bottom which was a spring of fresh water. Here the men were faced with a choice of three paths.  The path that led directly from the gate continued straight up the steep hill. Another path turned to the left and a third to the right of the hill."

A part of human nature is to find the easiest path. We are like water that finds the route of least resistance, which means that the river bends and turns to find the easiest flow. But the easiest path is often not the best way. I find that the easiest road often leads me into places I don't want to be.

At the base of the Hill of Difficulty, Pilgrim, Formalist and Hypocrisy are faced with the decision: do I take the easy way or the difficult way? Pilgrim decided to stay on the straight path that led him up over the hill. It was not an easy climb. "I saw Christian go up the hill, were I noticed him slowing his pace from running to walking and finally to scrambling up the path on his hands and knees because it was very steep." On the other hand, Formalist and Hypocrisy decided to go around the mountain instead of going over it. Formalist took the path called "Danger," and Hypocrisy took the path called "Destruction." Neither of them was heard from again.

Being sidetracked from the straight path will take a person away from the truth of the Gospel. In church-ese, it is called "easy believism." It says that there is no pain or suffering, no hardships in the Christian life. People who choose to take the easy road to avoid suffering for Christ will suffer for it. We don't like pain and suffering. That is why Christians who encounter the Hill of Difficulty often turn away from the straight path.

The Gospel song says, "God has not promised skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways all the way through. But He has promised strength from above. Unfailing kindness, undying love." This is why the Bible is filled with admonitions concerning endurance and patience. "Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" (James 1:2-3). "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Romans 5:3-4). Difficult paths strengthen our character and our faith as we experience God's strength to endure. The Christian walk is not always easy, but it is worth it in the end.

Love, Dad