The Heavenly Footman is a fast-paced and direct challenge to every Christian to ârun the race to winâ! Footman is no reference to an infantryman or an aristocratâs servant, but refers to those who are travelling on foot to a distant country, engaged in a pilgrimage from earth to heaven. John Bunyan uses the allegory of the runner to picture the Christianâs race through this world to win the heavenly prize. Indeed, they that will have heaven must run for it. âThey which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prizeâŚso run, that ye may obtainâ (1Co 9:24). He understands that most are too casual in their approach to the Christian life. Their vigilance looks more like sloth too much of the time! Instead, Bunyan encourages us to âpress toward the mark,â to âcontinue in the faithâ in spite of all adversity, to remove hindrances, to beware of by-paths, to know the cross and mortification, to deny self, and to persevere. While this race is mentioned in most works on holiness, Bunyanâs focus is on the personal vigilance needed to complete the race, starting now, starting today.