Pilgrim, Hypocrisy, and Formality continue to the foot of a hill called Difficulty. There is a spring at the bottom, along with two other paths that seem to go around the hill. The straight and narrow path which Pilgrim has been told to follow goes straight up the hill. Christian drinks from the spring and continues. Hypocrisy and Formality take the other paths, thinking they will all meet on the other side. One of those paths, Danger, leads into a vast forest, the other, Destruction, leads into an area of dark mountains. They are lost and never heard from again.
Christian proceeds slower and slower as he proceeds. Eventually he is crawling on the ground, the hill is so steep. About halfway up the hill, there is a resting area, put there by the Lord of the Hill, and Christian pauses to rest. He takes out his Document and reads for awhile, then pauses to examine his fine coat, but as he dawdles, he becomes drowsy and falls asleep. As he sleeps, the Document falls from his hand. Later, an unknown individual comes by and awakens Christian, urging him on, similar to how Christian tried to wake the three sleeping, shackled fools encountered earlier. Christian jumps up and runs along quickly, forgetting his Document.
At the top of the hill, two men, Fearful and Mistrust come running toward him going the wrong way. Christian asks them why they are running from the City of Zion, and Fearful says that the further they go, the more danger they meet, and therefore they are going back. Mistrust then tells Christian of two lions that lie in the path up ahead. They think they will be torn to pieces by the lions. Christian pauses to consider their words, but realizes that destruction awaits him if he goes back as well. He thinks, "I must continue, for to go back means nothing but death. To go forward is the fear of death, but beyond it is life everlasting. I'll keep going forward."
Christian reaches in his coat for his Document for some reassurance, and then realizes that it is missing. He is greatly distressed and doesn't know what to do, but in a few minutes he gathers himself, and realized that he must have dropped the document where he was resting. He goes back to retrieve it, but has only harsh words for himself along the way. He finds the Document where he left it, and his sorrow is turned to joy, yet the sun sets before Christian reaches the top of the hill and Christian again begins to grieve himself. He remembers Fearful's and Mistrust's report of the lions and begins to feel more and more afraid. He continues however, and while lamenting his unhappy circumstances, he looks up and sees before him a very stately palace, named Beautiful by the side of the highway.
Thoughts on this chapter
When I read this chapter, I was reminded of a hill in the Smokey Mountains going up to Clingman's Dome. I was in the Smokey Mountains back in the summer of 2001, just a few days after recommiting my life to Christ. Seeing the mountains in this state was completely different than the year before when I was in a state of unbelief (though I think the previous year's trip had a role to play in my moving out of that state of unbelief). Clingman's Dome is the second highest point east of the Mississippi River, and the trail going to the top is short but very steep. There are about six rest areas on a trail about a half mile in length. So I picture Christian struggling up this steep hill, unable to understand why it is so hard to go such a short distance. Stopping to rest, he succumbs to the temptation to sleep, and the footnote on this passage says, "The journey calls for diligence. God provides places and times for rest, but allegorically speaking, there is no time for sleep." [Hazelbaker]
The two lions represent anything that causes us to fear and not trust God to deliver us in the time of difficulty. The lions are there on purpose, however (as will be revealed in the next chapter). What lions exist in your life that cause you to fear and not trust God to be your strength and deliverance? Some lions that exist in our life right now are worries about how war will affect our adoption. Will we be able to travel to China and adopt a child next year? We gave the adoption to God when we started however. It's in His hands, if it is His will, it will happen.
I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3 NKJV
UPDATE: For another story of someone who had some serious lions to face in his life, read this.
Posted by joelfuhrmann at March 15, 2003 11:13 PM