Richard Littledale's
Views on the News: August 2011

The return of Dragons' Den to BBC2 has brought a change in the line-up of the Dragons. The new Dragon, Hilary Devey, is claiming that she "doesn't breathe fire" (see: BBC website) adding that "I have got genuine compassion for people." Over coming weeks we shall see whether she is true to her word. It will interesting to see how a compassionate Dragon operates alongside the more familiar fire breathers.

Of course, the spectacle and entertainment value of the Den lies in the Dragons asking tough questions as they look to see if there is a fatal flaw in the proposals before them. Some hopefuls fall over (almost literally). Others just about survive until, with their confidence shaken, they are offered an investment by one or more Dragons which benefits the Dragons more than the entrepreneur had intended.

Although the new Dragon may wish to be seen as compassionate rather than fire breathing, the Bible is quite unashamed to acknowledge that our God is both. John says "God is love" (1 John 4:16) which has to be read alongside Malachi's question "Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire." (Malachi 3:2)

From Malachi's perspective, standing before God's throne in heaven will be a little like standing before the Dragons in their Den. Suddenly conscious of all our shortcomings, we will hesitate as we think about how we might answer the questions he is sure to ask us.

But, although we might doubt the compassionate nature of any of the Dragons, we can be confident of God's loving nature. After all, he has already invested in our future through the death of his Son, Jesus. His offer to us is already on the table. It will cost us nothing and gain us everything. All we have to do is accept it.