Thinking Ahead (07/28/2025)

A gift my family of origin gave to me in my growing up years was the necessity for thinking ahead. Before embarking on any trip or errand, we were trained to think ahead. What would we need on the way? What should we take care of before we left? This training was part of my family’s education in being responsible.

The world has changed drastically over my 75 years. This past weekend, when I was at church, I recognized a change I don’t understand, a change that is drastic. I’m not sure if it is a physical change in our bodily capacity and function or just a change in modern foresight.

I was responsible this weekend for handing out parish picnic raffle tickets to church goers. So, I stood outside church before Mass, trying to catch individuals on their way in. While I was there, I had at least twelve individuals ask me where the restrooms were located. When the bells rang, I moved into church to attend Mass. I sat in the back so I could leave before the closing hymn to distribute tickets again.

I wish I wasn’t so easily distracted, but I can’t help it. Movement catches my eye. I was trained to be observant. That’s why I sit in the front of church usually so there is less to observe, less to distract me. I also sit in front because I’m short and struggle to see over and around almost everyone taller than a 5^th grader. But I digress. During Mass, there was a huge exodus, one at a time, for the restrooms. As I sat there, I wondered why.

I know I shouldn’t have let that fill my thoughts, but just as soon as I pushed it away, another person popped up and headed out to the bathroom. I made it through 18 years of growing up and never once needed to leave church to go to the restroom. Restroom time was always part of getting ready for church. I don’t even know if there was a restroom in my home churches growing up. And I raised three kids without ever once leaving church to go to the restroom. Chalk up another 20 years to no visits to rooms with mirrors in my past. I’m 75 now and the last thing I do before leaving for church is go to the bathroom. “Think ahead!”

As I watched this constant stream of individuals making their way to the restroom, I just kept thinking of my father’s and mother’s warning – “think ahead!” And then, as often happens, my field of consideration expanded. If we in the modern world are not thinking ahead when it comes to restroom needs before we leave for church, are we thinking ahead when it comes to life in general and to eternal life with our LORD specifically?

I know, I have a strange mind that can connect these two things. Some days, it is a blessing, other days, not so much.  But seriously, are we in the modern world taking the time to think ahead about our lives in the LORD and using our time to take care of the things we should while we have time?  

And then my mind shifted to Jesus’ parable of the 10 virgins with oil lamps sent out to welcome the bridegroom. Five brought extra oil for their lamps. Their parents had taught them, obviously, to think ahead. But five showed up with only the oil that was in their lamps. Their lack of thinking ahead resulted in them leaving to go buy more oil. And during their absence, during that time when they weren’t present, the bridegroom came.

The parable (Matthew 25:1-13) was given to us by Jesus to teach us about the need to cultivate a life of spiritual readiness. We do this through faith and through living the life the LORD calls us to live knowing we must be ready because we do not know the time or day when our LORD will come or our lives will end. We need to both think ahead and be vigilant. The foolish virgins paid a huge price for their spiritual complacency.

Thinking ahead spiritually, believing in the reality of life in abundance with Christ, underscores our need for firm faith, for belief in Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior who died for our sins and conquered death with His resurrection. Thinking ahead spiritually, taking to heart all that Jesus taught us and modeled for us about love of the Father Almighty, love for our sisters and brothers, all this helps us to respond accordingly when we  encounter real needs here and all this helps us to be people of prayer as well as people who live Christ daily in our homes, at work, at the marketplace.

And thinking ahead spiritually allows us to love the Spirit who was given to us for this age, the Spirit that guided and sustained Christ will guide and sustain us and will gift us and grace us for this journey. Thinking ahead means recognizing the Spirit at work in our moments and cooperating with those graces and gifts and guidance moments.

As we continue our journeys in faith in our all-present and all-loving LORD, buoyed by our hope in our LORD’s promises, and fueled by love of the LORD and for the LORD and one another, let us be intentional, let us think ahead to the possibilities of life in, with and through the LORD, a life in abundance. And let us think ahead about the physical needs and realities of our lives and use self-discipline along the way.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.