I nearly jumped out of my skin the evening before we were about to be hit by storm Eowyn. I was sitting in the manse, minding my own business when not just my phone but all the mobile phones, some on silent, some not, began to make a strange sound and vibrate.
It was an alert from the authorities, a ‘Red Weather Warning’ about the impending storm, giving instructions about the ‘danger to life’ and what to do to keep us safe. It was a bit apocalyptic, a kind of warning of the end of the world as we knew it!
It is not unusual for the weather to be a topic of conversation in Britain, and, at the time of writing, though the weather is calm, it is, and has been over the past week, bitterly cold. My dermatologist has often said that Scotland, particularly with the dampness, is not the place I should be, suggesting that I should live abroad!
I am more than happy to take her recommendation, on health grounds of course, to live, perhaps in Italy, with the Mediterranean diet and the sunshine!
My father often used to look at the weather and say ‘red sky at night, shepherds delight, red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning’. I am not sure of the accuracy of these statements, though in times gone by, those out on the hills and the fields, or on boats at sea, could just know what was around the corner because their employment and their lives depended on it.
We don’t always get weather warnings about storms. Maybe they are not severe enough, or they happen all of a sudden. John Luca asked me if I remembered the storm of 1987, when a programme reminded us of the mistakes made by Mr Michael Fish with his reporting, and to be honest I didn’t, partly because that storm hit the southern part of England rather than Scotland.
When life throws troubles at us, rarely do we get warnings about these either. The severe storms that come upon us, or even the not so traumatic ones, are seldom predictable, but they have to be coped with none the less.
Things happen in life over which we have no control.
So, we have to react the best we can. But what do we do when there are warnings: that high cholesterol adds to the risk of heart disease; the stark message on cigarette packages; global warming that raises sea-levels dangerously; inner-city pollution that can cause breathing problems to children. Who remembers walking to school in the smog and the fog with protective illuminated bands unable to see the way caused by the smoke from chimneys?
Or, sadly, those who carry concealed weapons leading to violence in streets down south; to working on a computer for too long before bedtime that disturbs your sleep and gives you a backache because you are sitting in an inappropriate chair.
Even on such a day as February the 14th, a day when we note our affections to each other (though there are all the other days), people are warned about the romantic scams, where people pull at your heart strings and ask you to send them money to get them out of a hole.
When warnings are there, like the Red Weather Warning about Storm Eowyn, should we not take heed? Is that not what warnings are for? Throughout the Bible, many a prophet in particular, warned his listeners what would happen if their behaviour did not change. Similarly, in a stark but more compassionate way, Jesus pointed out the correct way because he was The Way, warning us all of the choices between the right and wrong paths.
We are heading for Lent, a time for contemplation, reflection, and yes, warnings too, to the disciples and to we modern-day ones. Step into the wilderness as Jesus did and take his wise words to heart.
Your friend and minister,
George C Mackay
