At some point during your life, each of you was exposed to Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. I can remember several of you watching the video story (of the book) over and over again. Well today it was published in 1678. It has sold more copies than any other book, EXCEPT the Bible. While the book is one that we, as a family, grew up with, my biggest questions lie in trying to understand John Bunyan and his approach to ministry. I think his life forces us to ask ourselves questions, especially if we feel called to some type of ministry. Often our families and those outside our homes do not see the calling being as positive as we do. That calling can be challenging to everyone involved.

In 1655, the year of his first wife’s death, John became a deacon and began preaching with noticeable success. In 1658, the year before his second marriage, he was arrested for preaching without a license. Two years later he was imprisoned for 12 years for the same charge. He was not asked to deny Christ or his faith but to simply stop preaching without a license. He was not a martyr, and was not violently persecuted. His strong convictions pushed him ahead, causing the local authorities to view him as a troublemaker. So my question is: “Should he have agreed with the law, walked out of jail, and gone home to fulfill his duties before God as a husband and father or stick by his personal convictions ignoring the law?”

Many people who are called into ministry have challenging family issues. We know that Manoah was an unusually righteous man, but could not control his son Sampson’s cravings or behavior. While David was “a man after God’s own heart” we know he had severe problems with his children. I wonder how Peter’s wife must have felt with his long absences traveling with Christ. I wonder how they made ends meet without him fishing. I personally understand what it feels like to walk out the door knowing there is a level of resentment because you are not home doing what someone else thinks you should be doing. You can feel the rivalry for your time and presence since you are only one person. Yet, you see the fruit of your labor in new or fellow believers. Then, some of the feelings of frustration subside — for a moment — until you see the expression again. Your heart sinks and the cycle begins again.

As painful as it may be, we have to believe that Matthew 12:48 – 50 holds the key: He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” The eternal must outweigh the temporal. If your family or friends will not accept or participate in your ministry efforts, they have made their choice. Whether justified or not, they have their reasons. However, it does not change what God has called you to do. Have faith, knowing that you are there for a reason and “Great is your reward” for being a loyal and faithful servant.

Love, Dad