Preparing for winter (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Preparing for winter

1:00am Monday 10th October 2011

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The sycamore leaves of St Albans are a brilliant red, glowing in the autumn sun or brightening the gloom as the trees prepare for winter.

Meanwhile, the world’s politicians, economists and social commentators are desperately trying to maintain the pretence that it is still high summer, that after a short storm we can return to perpetual sunshine and an era of continuous improvement, that the bright leaves are signs of hope.

In the bible, Joseph became Prime Minister of Egypt with a manifesto to prepare in the years of plenty for years of famine. The surrounding nations, who had frittered away the good times, paid through the nose for supplies they had failed to set aside, but because of Joseph they did not starve.

In the bible, the prophets called on God’s people to live by the principles of righteousness, justice and generosity, telling them this would lead to prosperity and warning of the disastrous consequences of neglecting them – one day, it would be too late to change course.

In the bible, Jesus told a story of wise and foolish bridesmaids – the wise ones had filled up their tanks, while the foolish were running on empty and ran out of fuel when they needed it. He told of houses built on rock and sand and what happened when the storm arrived.

Is it too late now? For some, probably; for others, better late than never. Batten down the hatches, stock up on supplies, and prepare for a long hard winter!

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