Monday, July 26^th of 1982 I left Kansas City for basic training in the United States Air Force.  I remember finally making it to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX at around 10:00 pm that night.  My recruiter told me to take a toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste and a change of underwear.  Once I got to basic training, the Air Force would issue me everything else that I needed.  I do not remember what exactly happened but we were delayed a couple of days in being issued our clothes and necessities.  For a few days we went without a shower and marched around in the same clothes.  If I had known that would be the case, I could have prepared for it.

Another unexpected thing happened in basic training.  In each group of recruits there are 52 young men or women who spend the next 6 weeks living together in an open dorm.  The drill instructor appoints one basic trainee to be the dorm chief or the person responsible for the other 51.  Our dorm chief only lasted a couple of days; he injured his back trying to lift his duffle bag full of gear and could not continue with basic training.  This necessitated the appointment of a new dorm chief and needless to say, I was unprepared when my name was called out.  Yikes!

All of us are acutely aware that things happen that we are completely unprepared to handle.  Whether it be a market crash, housing crisis, world-wide pandemic, major health event, unexpected end of a relationship, or an untimely death of a loved one, it is hard to anticipate and be prepared for such things.  Actually, most of the time they catch us off-guard.  There are aspects of life for which we cannot adequately prepare.  Never the less, there are things that we can prepare for – we can prepare for college.  We can prepare for a career, marriage, children, a will or trust, or for retirement.  We actually spend a considerable amount of time preparing – preparing for what we anticipate to come in the future.  That is a good thing.

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  The people celebrated him as “the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”  It was also the season of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  This was a time for the people to remember God’s deliverance from Egypt and God’s provision in the desert.  The Passover ritual was celebrated during a meal and Jesus instructed Peter and John to go and prepare for it.  They went and made preparations for not only Jesus and themselves, but also for the other disciples.  They prepared space, food, and utensils – all that was needed for them to gather, remember, and draw closer.

While there are aspects of life that we are unprepared for, Jesus still commands us to be people who prepare.  Beyond our individual preparations, the church yields to this same mandate.  In the history of St. John’s United Methodist Church, previous pastors prepared the way for me to come and lead.  The same is true for past members who prepared the way for others to come and worship.  For 75 years, people have prepared this space for worship, learning, serving and witnessing.  Which reminds me that what we should be doing today is thoughtful preparation for the next 75 years of St. John’s.  Now is the time of opportunity for us to prepare for those we have yet to meet and welcome into our community life.

I invite you to take time and read each of the scriptures above followed by reflection on the questions below.  Consider how you can participate in preparing St. John’s to welcome those we have yet to meet or welcome.  Lastly, I pray that God bless the reading of God’s Word and the meditations of your heart.

Questions to Consider this week:

• Monday:  Recall a situation that you were completely unprepared for.  How did it make you feel? 
• Tuesday:  Recall a situation that you had adequate time to prepare for.  How did it make you feel? 
• Wednesday:  Remember a name or a face of someone who prepared the church to welcome you.  Say a prayer of thanks to God for them.
• Thursday:  What names from St. John’s past do you remember?  What names from St. John’s present do you know?  How are you giving God thanks for them preparing the church to welcome you?
• Friday:  What ways are you helping St. John’s to prepare for and welcome the next generation?
• Saturday:  Who are you engaging to receive the ministry of St. John’s that has prepared for them?

Actions for the Week:

• Head:  Contemplate God’s call that sends you out to prepare so others might receive God’s grace.
• Heart:  Wrestle with the need for you to participate in preparing the church for the future.
• Hand:  Prepare space in your life for a relationship with someone who is searching for a loving community of faith.