A dear friend passed away, slipped away, went to be with the Lord, died yesterday. We had not really been in touch very much over the last few years, but when we were; we were good. My friend was an evangelist and an, ever so confident, follower of Jesus.

We did postgraduate study together and therefore we knew each other very well indeed in areas of Ancient Jewish Literature. I read the tributes made to him on various social networking sites; admired them, and then wondered what people might say about me.

He was, I think, a year younger than me, which gives food for thought. It also makes me ask what we think life is for; and whether or not what we focus upon is worth the amount of energy we spend on it.

I am reminded of the film Dead Poet’s Society, where the character Mr Keating has his young group of students look at photos of their predecessors; reminding them that their predecessors had probably already died. “Seize the Day” or “Carpe Diem” is Keating’s motto.

Seek first God’s Kingdom was the mantra of another; and of my now late and much loved friend, “live life well”. Good advice that, and I am determined to follow it.