“Look ahead and prepare!” (Inner Word)
The Lord often addresses us with this exhortation. We must look forward to what lies ahead, not backward (cf. Phil. 3:13). This does not mean ignoring things from the past that need to be set right, for which we may need to ask forgiveness. Without a doubt, our Father wants us to do what is right. Today’s phrase refers to moving forward toward the goal with our eyes fixed on God, detaching ourselves from anything that might keep us from reaching it.
We are often too preoccupied with ourselves—our vague hopes and desires, and our disappointment that things have not turned out as we expected. All of this paralyzes us.
Looking ahead means asking the Lord, “What should I do? What plans do you have for me? How should I face tomorrow?” This is where the second part of today’s phrase comes in: we must prepare and equip ourselves. St. Paul would say that we must put on the armor of God (Eph. 6:11–18): the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and so on. Our Father wants us to lead others to believe in Him. To do so, we must prepare ourselves daily in the school of His love—today, tomorrow, and the day after that. Today we prepare for tomorrow so that, if God grants us to live it, it will be a day more filled with love. Tomorrow we prepare for the next day, and so on. This is what we must focus on.
In this sense, we look ahead and prepare ourselves here and now for the great tomorrow of eternity.