Those who follow my forays into the blogosphere may have noted these have been far 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 feel I am qualified to write about and, even if I am, I must ask is this the right time to set forth my wisdom, righteous indignation and honest reflections? Besides which, there are many voices “out there” with bigger followings than I who do so effectively.

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

But, rest assured, I haven’t taken my eyes of what is going on in the world pertaining to all sorts of fronts and I do so with a mixture of foreboding concerning what is in store (the baddies continue to get away with doing bad things) and hope (the goodies 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 that include keeping in my lane, while still urging: test and weigh, watch and pray and especially to trust and obey the Lord God Almighty.

I am tempted to have a go at some of the things that in the natural have got me rattled in recent weeks (and believe me – the list is long) but upon reflection decided it would be wiser at this time not to go there or maybe say: watch this space as the Boss may nudge me to say/do something. Before I do end, let me offer two quotes: 1 Thessalonians 4:11 “study to be quiet, and to do your own business” as my Christian quote, and as Dolly Parton puts it “find out who you are and do it on purpose” as my more worldly one. But as it encapsulates an important aspect 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 another local church holding a climate briefing, calling it an emergency, while missing what is a far deeper emergency. I see a country unable to come to terms with threats like Islam and immigration, going down the road of two-tier justice, while pointing to Russia and Brexit as the real threats.

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”.