On 6th February 1961 Eamonn Andrews was all set to host another edition of the highly successful TV show ‘This is Your Life’. The show went out live, and would begin with a famous person being taken by surprise and then escorted to the studio where their life would be profiled. At the end they would presented with all the information in a big red book.
On this occasion the subject was to be the footballer of the year Danny Blanchflower. Sadly, this time the surprise was on Eamonn Andrews, as Danny refused the invitation saying, “I consider this programme to be an invasion of privacy.” A stunned Andrews was left with no programme and 30 minutes of live TV to fill!
While Blanchflower had the freedom to walk away, no such option was afforded the subject of one of Jesus’ most famous parables – a rich fool blessed with abundant harvests, but who instead of sharing his wealth built bigger and bigger barns in which to store it for himself. Before he had time to enjoy it however, God says, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
Worth pondering then what the big red book will reveal on that day when God says to us. “This is Your Life”.