Valiant.

in John Bunyan's Pilgrim Progress, a character named Valiant led Christiana, Christian's wife, and their children to the bank of the Jordan River. here they waited to cross until their time (destined by God, of course) to enter the Celestial City.

there are many memorable and encouraging characters in John Bunyan's "dream", but Valiant always stands out to me. most especially when he delves into the Jordan to cross to the angels of God waiting for him on the other side. strong throughout the entire journey, focused solely on reaching the city of God, Valiant never falters. even when facing the murky waters and strong currents of the Jordan, he yells out

"O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?" 1 Corinthians 15:55

am I deficient? am I actually saved if I can't stare earthly death (or ridicule) in the eye and say "hit me with your best shot"?

I'll admit, I'll stay silent when Satan taunts me in a college classroom with liberal, evolutionist professors. I'll uneasily shrug it off when a homosexual smears their lifestyle in my face. today's culture has taught my generation to be tolerant of everything except for Jesus and true Christianity. I experience it firsthand. but do I openly speak up? no, I am not so Valiant.

the worst they can do is kill me. torment me to death. and in America, the worst they can do is mock me. does it really matter? will it really sting? of course not.

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8 (NASB).

so why am I so afraid?

the same reason why Peter sank on the rolling waves when Jesus called him onto the water. I'm scared of the murky water and strong current, threatening to pull me to the rocky bottom and beat me senseless.

of course, there's no need to be rude and openly bash a professor over the head with a Bible in the middle of class. or grab a soap box and a sign and stand on a street corner and act better than I know I am. but in conversations with friends, classmates, and friends of friends, I should trust God more and stand firm. I should not be ashamed of His holy and perfect priorities and perspectives.

Valiant stands out most to me not because I relate to him, but because I want to relate to him. to have the same confidence and courage to strike out into the battlefield of life and know that this is but a fleeting moment in God's eyes. as John Bunyan wrote in his hymn:

"He who would valiant be 'gainst all disaster,

Let him in constancy follow the Master.

There's no discouragement shall make him once relent

His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim."

as my last college semester draws closer, pray God I will true Valiant be, at school, at work, at home, and especially after graduation.

obviously, Christians are warned of mockery. I fully expect it. but my old man battles with the new, saying "yes, yes, you know the popular thing to say", while the new man stutters, "but! I know that Christ suffered worse for me." this post is really for venting my disappointment in my own shortcomings.