Pilgrim’s Progress (Kristens resa)
I see myself now at the end of my journey, my toilsome days are ended. I am now going to see that head that was crowned with thorns, and that face that was spit upon for me.
I have formerly lived by hearsay and faith but now I go where I shall live by sight, and shall be with him in whose company I delight myself.
I have loved to hear my Lord spoken of, and wherever I have seen the prints of his shoe in the earth, there I have coveted to set my foot to.
His name to me has been as a civetbox; yea sweeter than all perfume. His voice to me has been most sweet; and his countenance I have more desired than they that have most desired the light of the sun. His word I did use to gather for my food, and for antidotes against my faintings. ’He has held me, and hath kept me from mine iniquities; yea, my steps has he strengthened in his way.’
Glorious it was to see how the open region was filled with horses and chariots, with trumpeters and pipers, with singers and players on stringed instruments, to welcome the Pilgrims as they went up, and followed one another in at the beautiful gate of the city.
John Bunyan (1628-88)
Dessa ord ur Kristens reda av John Bunyan, klassikern, återger på ett fint sätt vad det kristna hoppet innebär.
Det är inte bara skaldens det finns något bortom bergen, bortom blommorna och sången – även om jag älskar Dan Anderssons dikter – utan de är ett uttryck för vissheten om högtiden som väntar Guds folk.
I morgon ska jag förrätta jordfästning av min kusin Yvonne, och himlen och evigheten kommer så nära.
Gud give att vår resa slutar där och att det sker med oss så att ”they followed one another in at the beautiful gate of the city.
För Kristi skull.
Henrik
Namn: Henrik Perret