How to look ahead

I'm sure that, like me, you've seen a lot of news articles that speak to peoples' penchant for not "looking ahead." Of not considering the consequences of their thoughts, words or actions. Mostly, in my amateurish polling of this phenomena, politicians seem to be the most prolific violators of this practice. For a few moments today, I'd like to take the idea of both "looking ahead" and/or of "not looking ahead" and run with it towards a Bible lesson. Here's how we'll run.

First off, I'm going to offer you my opinion on something and that is; I think that the wherewithal to "look ahead," to consider the consequences of our actions, is an acquired ability. I don't think that it comes naturally or by accident. I see it as sort of like our conscience, it has to be trained. Allow me to provide a couple of quick examples for you to consider as evidence of my thinking along this line.

There are many examples we could consider here, but I'm just going to mention two with which, by usage and experience, I'm familiar. The first one is being an aircraft pilot. (At least I used to be - ah, the good old days.) One of the lessons you learn in flying airplanes is, they don't stay up there forever. You have to come down and land that baby on a little patch of runway. Hopefully in a successful manner, and if you can "grease it on" so much the better. (Pilot's lingo, I love it)

Now here's the point of this example: in order to hit that little patch of runway you've got to be thinking ahead of the aircraft. There are actions that need to be taken at certain points before you get to the airport in order for your airplane to arrive at the ground at the precise time and place. You can't delay or put off the actions or your landing will not result in the successful kind.

But not just landing requires a "looking ahead." All the time you're up there you are "looking ahead." You are constantly aware of what's out there ahead of you and you are mentally preparing for something to happen that you hope doesn't. This "looking ahead" ability doesn't come natural in flying airplanes - it's acquired by constant training and practice.

My second example is the game of chess. I used to play a lot of chess and, what with all my games played, I probably reached the player level of "mediocre." But, here again, the game of chess requires that a player "looks ahead" and plans their moves way in advance of the moves they are currently making. There are chess players who can look at the opening move of their opponent and "see" the entire game played out "ahead" in their mind. These are the really good ones.

The point of my chess example is: this ability of "looking ahead" in regards to future moves is an acquired ability. Like flying airplanes, it only comes with lots and lots of practice and playing the game. Okay, let's switch to the spiritual aspects of our lesson here today.

"Looking ahead" is simply being aware of the consequences of either our actions or our non-actions. Of being able to mentally say to yourself, "If I do ______ what will happen?" And then, when the consequences are realized (seen), taking the appropriate course of action. Before we leave the physical/temporal aspect of our lesson, let me make another connection here. Think about the idea of "warnings" and the thought of "being aware" or more simply - "beware."

We're warned, "Don't drink and drive!" Why not? Because bad things can happen. We can be arrested or can be involved in an accident. Perhaps a tragic accident. Or, "Beware of ice on the road/bridge." Not a big problem in So. Cal. but certainly is in many other areas of the country. Why beware? You can lose control of your vehicle or, again, have an accident. IE: Bad things can happen. The consequences can be tragic.

When I turn to Biblical examples and passages that support our subject, I don't know where to start. Suffice it to say that there are many available. What I think I'll do is look at this from the standpoint of "warnings" and how they were either heeded or not and the consequences of whatever action was done.

Our1^st Biblical warning is found in 2 Kings 6 where we see Elisha sending the King of Israel a message, warning him to not go by a certain location because the King of Syria had set an ambush for him there. The King of Israel heeded the prophet's warning, didn't go there and thus "save himself." (Vs. 10)

The 2^nd Biblical warning involves our old buddy Noah. Hebrews 11:7 tells us that he was "warned of God" of perils that had never before been seen on the earth and we see that Noah believed God's "warning," was obedient and thereby saved himself and his whole family.

I'm going to return to our original thought of "looking ahead" for the rest of our spiritual application today. "Looking ahead" requires the same ability of us in spiritual matters as it does in the temporal examples I cited. When we "practice" (study) we develop the ability to "look ahead" in our spiritual lives. To consider, to be aware of the consequences of our spiritual actions or non-actions. And, as seen in the consequences of either flying or chess playing, do we end up with the result we'd prefer - a safe landing or a game winner.

This "looking ahead" may require one to "repent" of past actions with the idea of "looking ahead" to making the right moves, spiritually speaking. By the way, do you know what the definition of the word "repent" is? Most people answer, "to turn away from" and that's not all wrong but, the true definition is: "to change your thinking." I remind you of this because, "looking ahead" is really "thinking ahead" and we need to remember that our actions come from our "heart" (mind) so the proper order is to change the way we think and our actions will follow.

The apostle Paul says that we're "not to look back." That if we do, we're "not fit for the Kingdom of God." (Lk. 9:62) The writer of Hebrews tells us that the proper way for Christians to "look ahead" is to be "looking to Jesus" (12:2) and in verse 15 tells us that we should be "diligent" in "looking to Him." I think that Paul could have been a pilot based on his words in Phil. 3:13-14. He said, I'm not there yet, but I'm not looking backwards. I'm pressing forward. My attention, my eye is on the "prize" up ahead. That's where I'm looking, where my planning is headed.

Let me close with something we find in Ezek. 33:4-5 that I feel relates to our lesson today. The prophet tells Israel that "when you hear the trumpet (the warning) and you don't heed it - your blood will be on your own head." But then he says, "If you do heed the warning, you'll save your soul."

Christians are the "pilots" who make successful landings. Who are expert chess players that win the game, the "prize." Because they study, they practice, they learn to "look ahead" and realize the consequences. Just remember, consequences work both ways. For those who "look ahead" and for those who don't.

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Covey