Anyone who has played "Monopoly" will be familiar with these words, as the consequence of accidentally landing on the dreaded square is imposed.

Similarly, anyone who has been in the public gallery of a High Court may have heard something similar when an accused person is committed to prison as the consequence of being found guilty of the alleged crime. As I write this article, the news has just been full of the four would-be London bombers being sentenced to at least 40 years in prison, and a dangerous schizophrenic man committed to a secure hospital for an indefinite period. For them, jail is not a game - it is very serious.

At the end of August the Christian Church remembers a specific man who spent time behind bars. John Bunyan - the 17th Century Protestant leader - imprisoned, not for a heinous crime but for being an unlicensed preacher in the time of King Charles II. Whilst in Bedford Jail he wrote The Pilgrim's Progress - a classic of Christian writing, and often the first Christian book to be translated (after the Bible) by missionaries seeking to encourage seekers after God.

John Bunyan's story is a parable of the journey of the individual Christian travelling to the Heavenly City. On the way obstacles, discouragements and distractions are encountered - the everyday lot of faithful folk! However, perseverance sees him through. "Keep right on to the end of the road" would be an appropriate song for Christian to sing.

The book is still a good read, and the journey to the Heavenly City is still the best one to complete. Call in at your local church to join others on the way.

David Ainge