Dear All,

I’m on the Governors at the Primary School where we’re imminently awaiting the arrival of Ofsted. We’ve been told they could be coming at any time. We’ve been trying to predict when. We’ve said to ourselves, ‘Well, the school up the road has been inspected, so it must be our turn next.’ So we know it’s soon. The question is, ‘How soon?’ The head teacher told me that she felt sure it was going to be the other day. I said that I felt the same. But that day came and went, and still no phone call. So the waiting goes on.

We’re anxious because what Ofsted says
about a school can really affect things. There are four grades that can be given: outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate. How a school is judged can really affect morale, for better or for worse.

Our head teacher wants us to be up to speed. So, we Governors are doing our best to have the necessary information at our fingertips. I’m trying to memorise the facts in my spare time. We have to be ready to give the inspectors the right answers. Failure to prepare means preparing to fail, as the saying goes. So, it’s a stressful time for everyone.

I can’t help but feel that there are some
parallels to be drawn here with the Second
Coming of Jesus, which we especially think
about at Advent. We’re told that one day he will return, and that we are to be ready for him. But,
as with Ofsted, when that day will be is in uncertain.

4

Jesus talks about certain signs that will suggest that he is near, signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, along with fear and foreboding, and the shaking of the powers of the heavens. Some Christians feel certain that the time is now, just like the Head and I felt certain that Ofsted were coming last week. But against this we have to hold something else that Jesus said: He says that no one knows when the exact time will be, not even the angels in heaven. That secret is known only to God the Father.

What this means is that we’re not to predict. We have to put a question mark against any suggestion of certainty as to when it might be. I’ve learned from Ofsted that this kind of predicting doesn’t really get you anywhere anyway, and only raises the anxiety. Instead, we have to watch and wait, and go about our usual business.

It’s understandable that anticipating the return of Jesus might cause anxiety. St Paul says that we shall all have to stand before the judgement seat of God, and no one can feel easy about that. The prospect of Ofsted pales in comparison. But Jesus says we’re not to be weighed down by the worries of this life for that day to catch us unexpectedly. How much better to share our worries with Jesus, who will only judge us with the judgement of love,a love that casts out fear. And if there is any penalty to be paid, he has paid it already on the Cross.

Lord Jesus, guard our hearts and prepare us for your coming. Help us to stand up and raise our heads, knowing that our redemption is near.

Your friend and vicar, David.