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Spirit of the Flame - 70 days following the Olympic Torch
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DAY 22

The Olympic Torch went from Glasgow to Inverness today. Along the way it went through Fort William, the nearest main town to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland and the UK.

I remember being the driver for a group who set out to do the three peaks challenge: the three highest peaks in Scotland, England, and Wales in 24 hours. They set off for Ben Nevis in the afternoon, with a view to be down by nightfall (sunset was late when they went). I was to be the driver between the three peaks so they could rest (sleep) between the ascents. 

The idea was to do Ben Nevis (Scotland) by nightfall, drive to Skafell Pike (England) by sunrise, and get Snowdon (Wales) done at lunch time the following day. 

As a treat I was to have some hot soup and rolls ready for their return off Ben Nevis. So after my own stroll in the local woods, and an attempt at my amateur photography, I was back in time to get things boiling. 

I mixed the water and the cream of sweetcorn together. Beat the eggs, and added to the warming broth. I could see the stream of head torches snaking down the mountainside like an army of fluorescent ants. I thought I should be ready a little earlier than the expected time of arrival, just in case! But that time target came and went. So did the target time. The latest deadline time came and went too. I was calculating that this three peaks attempt was not going to be successful, even with clear roads ahead. I kept heating up the pot, and with the evening getting cooler by the hour, my desire to have yet another cup of soup increased. 

With no mobile phone coverage, it was a waiting game. I listened to the last night of the proms on the radio. Some walkers came over and thanked me for the musical welcome back to the car park with the sound of "Land of hope and glory" ringing out in the chilly pitch dark air.

I don't remember if I was asleep when they returned, but the soup was gone in a quicker time than it took to reboil. 

I did not know when the walkers would return, but I got ready anyway. It was not a surprise when they returned, I just didn't know quite when it would be.

In the first few verses of 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul uses the analogy of Jesus' second coming not being a surprise to those who believe in God. The time may be uncertain, but believers will not be caught unaware. Paul says, "the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." When a thief comes you don't know he is coming. Those who seek the presence of God, who look forward to the fulfilment of Jesus' promise to return will not be shocked at His arrival. Only unbelievers will.

So as you live your life, and seek the presence of God, be ready, be prepared. We don't know when Jesus will come, but we know He will. He said He would. So enjoy the wait. Seek God's presence now. Drink soup!

((The first mountain took longer than they thought, but they went on to do the second. By the time they got back from that one, time and energy had gone. Snowdon, and the three peaks challenge will be there for another day. I am very proud of their stoic achievement though.))

-Pr Nathan Stickland

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