But you should keep a clear mind in every situation.
Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord.
Work at telling others the Good News,
and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
(2 Timothy 4:5)

Read: Acts 13:1-13, Acts 15:36-41, 2 Timothy 4:5-13
Pilgrim’s Progress Stage 4 Part 5

Relate: John Bunyan names nearly everyone Christian meets on his progress. Those who are deserving of honor, Bunyan gives names like Faithful, Evangelist, Charity, or Discretion. Those unworthy are called Obstinate, Hypocrisy, Sloth, or Mistrust. He never leaves you in doubt about the character and nature of Christian’s encounters. Except here. For the first, and I believe only time in the story, Christian encounters two figures who have no name. They are simply called “men”. Why?

Others might have their opinions, but I believe it is because Bunyan wants to deal with kindness and delicacy simply aer not yet ready for the difficulties ahead. It is not that they are abandoning God. They are walking on the right path, but are not yet ready to move forward. The men said, “We are going the way you are going and went as far as we dared.” Christian doesn’t rebuke them for their lack of faith. He doesn’t counter this by saying, “But you are going the wrong direction.” He simply asks what they have seen and then says, “I will continue on anyways.” We have no way of knowing but I would like to believe these men returned to the Palace Beautiful (church) where they remained until they were ready and equipped to try again.

React: Living in a war zone, I have known people like these men. There was a couple who love God with all their hearts. They came and worked at the school for a while. But when a drone crash landed in the front yard blowing out 75 windows in the building, it was too much. They helped with the repair and the cleanup, but within days they were leaving Ukraine. When our IT man was drafted, we found a young American guy to be his replacement. He was a great guy, but after a couple of months he also left. Servants of God like this should not be rebuked or scorned. They should be honored for “going as far as they dared.” If you have ever gone down a road that seemed like the Valley of the Shadow of Death and turned back, don’t beat yourself up about it. It does not mean you have been disqualified from future ministry. Perhaps God has more work to do in your heart. Perhaps it simply means that there is another, different road He is calling you down. God has a unique path for each of us. Perhaps like these men, or like John Mark who turned back in Acts 13:13. Paul said he doesn’t want him joining the next  missionary journey (Acts 15:37-39) but later in life asked for him by name. God wasn’t done with his story. And maybe God isn’t done in yours either.

Respond:

Dear God,
I am thankful that You are still working in my life. I am not yet a finished product and there are times when I simply am not yet ready for what You have ahead. But when need be, I will be. Help me to show Your grace and love and patience on those who are not yet as far down this road as I have gone. Help me to remember with grace that those around me are also not yet finished products. Help me with love to help them follow You better.
Amen

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