Unwelcome Guest

Yesterday I blogged about visiting others. Today, I write of those who would visit me. Two letters recently landed which made offers of a visit to my home. I’m not a particularly lonely person, but if I were, such mailings would have me leaping for joy. The first came from The People’s Postcode Lottery. They anticipate calling by to offer me a large sum of money! Sadly, I must first pay then ten pounds per month for this to happen, and winnings are not guaranteed.

The second letter was from my old friends at TV Licensing. This is the seventh time they’ve written, and like a lazy, foreign penfriend randomly allocated at school, I haven’t been replying. Having formally cancelled my licence in December, they write to me every month to check how I am getting on. They keep telling me I’m on the verge of being investigated by an ‘Enforcement Officer’. Investigation and enforcement are clean difference concepts, so this multitasking fellow has his work cut out. If I don’t want him or her to call, I may call their ‘specialist team’, which has ‘lots of experience helping people in similar situations decide if they need a TV license’. As I don’t watch TV, I don’t feel I need the specialist team’s help; indeed, I welcome the officer’s visit. We’ll share a pot of tea together while I explain the gospel to him. Afterwards, he’s quite welcome to check my house for unlicensed TV sets, though the chances of him catching a man who works two jobs may prove tricky. 

So, the first letter wants me to pay people money in order for them to call, but their arrival is not guaranteed. The second requests my money in order to stop them calling, which, although promised many times, has not materialised. 

I’ve little affection for either organisation, though in all honesty I’d sooner subscribe to the Postcode Lottery than contribute towards Gary Lineker’s bloated salary. They only write to me because they want something I have- a few pounds. Sometimes, ‘friends’ only call or visit because they want something from us. They wish to borrow a tool or request some favour. The rest of the time, they are neither seen nor heard. In contrast, the Bible says that the Lord Jesus comes a-knocking on our hearts’ doors. Though uninvited, He seeks neither payment nor favour, generously offering us meaning in this life and hope for the next. Sadly, most ignore His calls, turning up the TV set or pretending to be out.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Rev. 3:20)