Those who follow my forays into the blogosphere may have noted these have been a lot less frequent in recent months, especially when it comes to writing on serious subjects.

I can think of two reasons why this is so. Firstly, I am writing a book with the title: “It’s not what we were told” and that is where my main research and writing efforts have been directed (I have just submitted my almost final draft to my proof reader and it should be out by the end of the year). Secondly, I have been convicted of the need to keep in my lane. By that I mean writing about those subjects I am qualified to write about and, even if I am, I must ask whether this the right time to set forth my acquired wisdom, righteous indignation and honest reflections? Besides which, there are many voices “out there” with far bigger followings than I, who do so effectively, who have my admiration for sticking their necks out.

That is not to say that there isn’t a lot going on that is blog worthy and falls within my remit of being a watchman on the wall, whose duty is to warn, who like the Psalmist am stirred because of the fools and villains getting away with doing bad things, given that in a world where right and just are the watchwords they would be getting their just desserts. Of course, that will happen whatever I say and, while there is no excuse for inactivity or not doing what we can to help, this will only fully and truly take place after Jesus personally returns to earth and takes control. Meantime, I must proclaim His Kingdom.

But, rest assured, I haven’t taken my eyes of what is going on in the world on all sorts of fronts and I do so with a mixture of foreboding concerning what is in store (with the baddies seemingly gaining the upper hand) in the days ahead and hoping (the goodies will continue to do good despite opposition and will ultimately prevail). I distrust the Unholy Trinity (politicians, media, elites) as much as ever, but there still is much out there to inform anyone prepared to do his/her research – which is what I try to do within limits, including keeping in my lane, while urging: test and weigh, watch and pray and especially to trust and obey the Lord God Almighty.

While tempted to write about some of the things that have got me rattled in recent weeks (and that list is long), upon reflection, I decided it would be wiser not to go there right now and say: watch this space as the Boss may well nudge me to say/do something. Before I do end, let me share two helpful quotes: 1 Thessalonians 4:11 “study to be quiet, and to do your own business”, my Christian one, and Dolly Parton: “find out who you are and do it on purpose” my worldly one. Since it encapsulates a lot of my thinking on such matters, let me end with my almost last words from my book:

“There is much, in the natural, to cause despair, including but more in addition to that which we might identify as being theologically related. I look at the party conferences going on right now in my own country. We have Labour, full of hope, yet blind to the difficult warnings further down the road. The Greens offer that same bright tone. We have a political class unable to name the real issues facing the country. And I am not being party political because the alternatives often do not appear to be much better.

I look at a King who seems distant from his own people, and yet another local church holding a climate briefing, treating it as an emergency while a deeper emergency goes unaddressed. I see a media I can no longer trust, and public leaders who seem more foolish than wise. I see a country struggling to have an honest conversation about Islam, immigration, the rule of law and how to teach our kids, along with a growing sense that justice is no longer even-handed. And yet we are being told that the greatest dangers are the far right, Russian imperialism, and the fallout from Brexit.

It is also Habakkuk’s hour: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17–18).

I could go on, but I am again conscious of needing to keep in my lane, thankful that there are others who speak out and provide a prophetic voice, often without realising it.

It would be easy to despair, yet I do not. My hope is not in conferences or crowns or committees, or even the institutional church – although change must begin in the hearts of God’s people. I have often heard this verse quoted out of context or as mere words, but at least it is a good start: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

My hope is in God, a good God, who sees all things, who will act justly, and who alone can bring the salvation, healing and wholeness my beloved country and the whole world needs”.