I can't believe...

John Stott has gone to be with the Lord! Better for him, but sad for us. For details see visit the the The Christian Institue or for a more personal reflection visit Desiring God.

Passed.

Just in case any avid readers of this blog are interested, I passed all the first year exams. I would like to say 'with flying colours', but it was a mixed bag. Still, the main thing is that I can carry on at WEST for the second year... but September is coming round all too quickly for my liking.

Left behind.

Before I took up my studies at Bible college, for many years I worked at an advertising and marketing company. In order to help pay the bills I regularly freelance at my old company and so get to see all my old colleagues and basically do what I was doing before.

Today is the day of their summer party – which involves a light-hearted sports afternoon and then drinks and a BBQ on a boat on the Thames. I was asked if I would 'hold the fort' in case of any artwork related emergencies. I have to say it's surprisingly lonely – knowing that everyone else is out having fun and I am not. I had held out a hope that I would be invited to the evening festivities, but alas, it has become apparent that this is strictly for those in the company. But why am I sharing all this with you?

As I sat in front of my computer, feeling pretty lethargic and unmotivated, I considered that merely being associated with a people or a company, still doesn't actually make you a part of the company - no matter how closely you may have worked with them. And in many ways, that is the same with heaven. A person may go to church, have tons of Christian friends and even do many of the same things that Christians do, but unless they are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation and are seeking to follow Him, one day, there will be a great eternal party to which they are invited. Regret, good works or any other plea or offer will not be enough, for when the time comes, if you are not found in the Lord, then that is how you shall remain – outcast, lonely and regretful. Depressing? No, there's hope.

Unlike the parallel with my old company, the good news is that it doesn't have to be that way. The Lord is holding open his arms and is even now inviting you to join him. Because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, God can forgive all the mess-ups you've ever made and welcomes you to a restored relationship with himself. This offer is open to all: that we should turn from our sin, to love and follow Jesus and so enjoy forgiveness, reconciliation and eternal life in him. But like all good offers, this offer has an expiry date. The offer is closed whenever you might die or whenever Jesus returns – whichever comes first. So think about it. Do you want to be welcomed to the greatest party in history as a child of God, or do you want to be turned away into everlasting darkness, with God saying, 'Depart from me, I never knew you'? Right now, I know where I would rather be.

The wasps – it's them or me...

Over a period of time I noticed that there seemed to be more and more wasps gathering in my garage. Convinced that this wasn't because my garage was simply a cool place to be if you're a wasp, I investigated. And yes, apparently, it wasn't simply a good chill-out zone, but more of a good place to make your home. I found the offending wasps nest hanging from the asbestos roof, nice.

After ordering some Rentokil wasp nest destroyer from Amazon the time had come. Early in the morning, protected by a long-sleeved shirt, I crept into the garage – armed with my tin of wasp eradicating foam. Taking aim, I unleashed a torrent of white foam – it quickly covered the nest and formed a secure seal. But taking no chances, I dashed from the scene – only to creep back to observe the response. There was none. They must have all been asleep.

I returned that evening to check on the progress. I opened the door, very carefully. The nest had literally melted – it was amazing. Although in a curious kind of way I felt a little sorry for them. But I had succeeded, overcome the beasts within, I felt triumphant.

Unfortunately, as it happens they were not the only wasps that had decided my garage would make a good home. Yes, there is indeed another nest. But this one is proving a little tricky. It's at the back of the garage and upon investigation is in the middle of a rolled up piece of carpet. After struggling to open the double rear doors these wasps were alerted to their impending doom. They buzzed around furiously and I ended up dancing around in a most unmanly manner. There was nothing for it, but for me to don my trusted can of wasp killer and block their exit. This proved easy, and I certainly won the battle, but not the war. Over the next few days their numbers dwindled massively. But they have been working hard, rebuilding, fortifying, guarding and producing more troops... it's going to end in a showdown, it's them or me...