What American does not think about or prepare for the future? We Americans save for a rainy day, to get married, to buy a home, to send the children to college, and to retire in comfort. Americans also protect themselves against future misfortunes with varieties of insurance. Jesus’ advice to his contemporaries, “Stay awake!” (gospel for today) and be prepared for an imminent event, belabors the obvious for Americans. However, future events did not seem to have the same grasp upon the people whom I served in Kenya.

Generally speaking, people in Kenya (at least where I lived) did not think about the future in the same way as Americans. While one might think such is the plight of those without disposal income that allows for savings, while true, that did not seem to be the underlying attitude. There was a a conviction that only God knows future, and it is futile for humans to try to discover it – instead there is a more intrinsic trust in the providence of God. Other gospel passages found more resonance: not to worrying about tomorrow and what they will eat, drink, or wear (Matt 6:25-34) but rather to ask God only for today’s bread and not a week’s supply (Matt 6:11).

Just a passing thought.