Where are you going?

"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election." 2 Peter 1.10

So she never made it after all. Whatever the reason for Her Majesty's absence at the Cenotaph yesterday, there will be all sorts of speculation about the state of her health. You can be sure that succession plans are being stepped up and all the state ceremonies that will accompany the transition. Of course she might bounce back and thrive for another 10 years. And with all the lusty renditions of "God save the Queen" yesterday, there arose plenty of petitions to that effect.

Of course none of us knows when our time will be up. At least the Queen knows where she is going. If you are reading this, I suspect you do too. But what of our friends, relatives, neighbours and colleagues who have not (yet) put their trust in Jesus? We must pray for them and, depending on the grace of God, offer them an irresistible taste of eternity through our own example - be it our forbearance towards others, or the serenity of our attitude to life, maybe even our resistance to evil, or our campaigning for justice.

As the Puritans of old remind us, we are pilgrims in the world. Our true citizenship is in heaven. If this is not to remain pious clap-trap, we need to live as such. That may have meant one thing back in the day. Today it surely means treading carefully on creation, loving our neighbour unconditionally and putting our faith exclusively in God - not money, nor status, nor any of the idols competing for our commitment. And with joy in our hearts - as befits those who have been bought with a price and promised life in abundance!