Always at Last

Inspired by Pilgrim’s Progress July 2008

Youth said to Young Man, “I cannot love you the way I once did. You should go now and find a love that lasts, for I must leave you soon.”

Thankful for the warning, Young Man set out to find the love he sought. He soon met with Chance who proudly proclaimed “I will love you greatly…on occasion.”

But Young Man knew that this was not what he sought He traveled a bit further where he met with Addiction. “I will love you so much that you will be longing for more.” There was something enticing about this to Young Man. He was about to court Addiction when Rye-Catcher got in his way and showed Young Man Addiction’s ill intentions.

Young Man continued along his way until Addiction returned with her friend Rationalization. Young Man listened to Rationalization and began to think that it was okay to fall for Addiction. ‘It appears to work for others and I could always move on if it doesn’t work,’ Young Man thought

Unfortunately the love did not work for him, nor could he move on. He was stuck—run aground in his heartache.

Luckily, Starfish-Thrower came along and helped him back on his way. Young Man was eternally grateful for the helping hand.

Soon Young Man came upon the twins Lust and Love. Lust was more attractive and Young Man began to pursue her but thankfully Rye-Catcher returned and warned that Lust’s love would not satisfy.

Love then declared, “I will not leave you ‘til death do us part.” Young Man liked the sound of that and fell in love with Love.

And they were happy for a long time

Then both Young Man and Love began to feel as if something were still missing. They knew that it was not the love of Chance or Addiction or Lust, but they knew not what it was.

Young Man too began to wonder about Love’s promise to love ‘til death. How could he be sure? And what after? What is lasting and guaranteed?

Young Man then sought love from Friends, Athletics, and Education, but that love was fading.

He then sought his friend Happiness, who said “I can give you love often, if you would like.”

‘I would like that, but it is not what I was looking for,’ he thought.

“I think you are looking for my companion Joy.”

So Young Man met Joy. Joy proclaimed, “I can love you always.”

“Always? How do I know that?”

“Because I am from my father called I Am. Also the Potter, the Way, the Healer, the Truth. I am also called the Lamb, the Redeemer, the Lion, the Savior. I will love you always.”

Young Man thought, ‘Always, without a doubt. Always…Always at last!’