The Pilgrim’s Progress: Christiana Leaves Home and Begins the Journey

Christiana and her family

"The King who called Christian now calls others as well."

Last week we met Christiana, the wife of Christian, as she remained behind in the City of Destruction after her husband began his pilgrimage. For a time she resisted his warnings and dismissed his concerns.

But after Christian reached the Celestial City, the Lord began His own work in her heart. Conviction replaced indifference. Sorrow replaced complacency. At last Christiana realized that her husband had not been mad after all. He had been right.

Now her own pilgrimage begins.

The King's Mercy Extends Further Than We Imagine

One of the beautiful themes of Bunyan's story is that God's invitation does not end with Christian. The door of mercy remains open.

Christiana receives a message from heaven through a messenger named Secret. The message is both a rebuke and an invitation. She is reminded of her past refusal to listen, but she is also assured that the King is willing to receive her if she comes.

Bunyan understood something that Scripture teaches repeatedly: God delights in welcoming repentant sinners.

"Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." — John 6:37

Christiana's past failures do not disqualify her. Her delay does not place her beyond grace. The King who welcomed Christian stands ready to welcome her as well.

How many believers have discovered the same truth? They look back on years of neglect, unbelief, or disobedience and wonder whether it is too late.

Yet the gospel continually proclaims that God's mercy is greater than our failures.

A Mother Determines to Follow Christ

Unlike Christian, Christiana does not travel alone.

One of the most moving moments in the story occurs when she decides that she cannot leave her children behind. If she is going to seek the King, she wants them to come with her.

Bunyan places these words in her mouth:

"Come, my children, let us pack up and be gone to that good land where Christian your father is."

This simple statement reveals a mother's heart.

Christiana is concerned not merely for her own soul but for the souls of her children. Having discovered the reality of salvation, she longs for them to share in it.

Scripture repeatedly presents this concern as one of the highest callings of parents.

"Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." — Ephesians 6:4

The Christian faith is never merely individual. God often works through families, churches, and communities. Christiana's concern for her children reflects the concern of countless Christian parents who pray that those they love will walk with Christ.

Mercy Joins the Pilgrimage with Christiana

As preparations are made, another traveler appears.

A neighbor named Mercy comes to bid Christiana farewell. As the two women speak, Mercy's own heart is stirred. She too begins to desire the journey.

At first Mercy hesitates. She worries whether the King would receive someone like her. She wonders whether she truly belongs among the pilgrims.

These fears are familiar to many believers. Some imagine that God's grace is reserved for stronger Christians, more spiritual people, or those with fewer failures.

Yet the gospel says otherwise.

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." — Isaiah 55:7

Mercy eventually joins Christiana and her children. Together they leave the City of Destruction.

What a picture of the church! Pilgrims of different ages, backgrounds, and experiences walking together toward the same destination.

Leaving the City

Every conversion involves a departure.

For Christian, leaving the city was dramatic and urgent. For Christiana, the departure is quieter but no less significant.

She leaves behind old habits, old priorities, and old securities. She abandons the false confidence that once kept her comfortable.

Jesus described discipleship in similar terms.

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." — Luke 9:23

The Christian life begins with grace, but grace leads us onto a road. Following Christ always means leaving something behind in order to pursue something infinitely better.

The Journey Is Easier Because Others Have Gone Before

One subtle difference between Christian's journey and Christiana's is that the road is now more familiar. Christian's footsteps have marked the path. His testimony remains. His example encourages those who follow.

This reflects a great blessing in the Christian life. We are surrounded by witnesses who have walked before us.

"Seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run with patience the race that is set before us." — Hebrews 12:1

Every faithful believer leaves footprints that help guide future pilgrims. Parents influence children. Pastors influence congregations. Saints encourage younger believers.

Christian has reached the Celestial City, but his pilgrimage continues to bear fruit in the lives of others.

The Road Still Leads to the King

As Christiana, her children, and Mercy depart from the City of Destruction, they do not know all that awaits them. There will be dangers, fears, and trials ahead. Yet they possess something they never had before: confidence in the King's invitation.

That invitation remains unchanged today.

The same Savior who called Christian calls Christiana.

The same Savior who welcomed Christiana welcomes Mercy.

The same Savior who opened the gate centuries ago still opens it for all who come to Him in faith.

The pilgrimage begins not because pilgrims are worthy, but because the King is merciful.

And so Christiana steps onto the road.

Not alone.

Not uncertain.

But trusting that the King who received her husband is ready to receive her as well.

Reflection

Have you ever felt that you delayed too long in responding to God's call? Christiana reminds us that the door of mercy remains open. The King still welcomes those who come to Him in repentance and faith.

The question is not whether He is willing to receive us. The question is whether we are willing to follow Him.

Next Week: Christiana Arrives at the Wicket Gate — Discovering that the King's welcome is even greater than she imagined.

**************************************

Father God, I thank You for my mother, and sisters Beatrice and Grace, who brought me along the narrow road to life and You. Thank You too for the inspiration Christiana gives ahd help me be such a guide for those I love. For Jesus' sake, Amen.

Let me know in the Comments section below if you are praying this with me. God bless you today. - Ken

**************************************

My heart has no desire to stay

Where doubts arise and fears dismay;

Though some may dwell where those abound,

My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,

Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound,

The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height

And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,

By faith, on Heaven’s table land,

A higher plane than I have found;

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1898.