The art of remembering…

“You saw with your own eyes what the Lord did…Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb….”

We are a people quick to forget. If you’re like me, you forget the good and oftentimes remember the bad. I can remember vividly the details of the week my grandfather was called Home to Glory. Yet, I can’t really remember the details of any “greatly joyous” moments…. As I write this, its the last morning of this year. We are on the eve of ringing in a new year. I’m enjoying some quiet time with my Bible in the presence of my Lord. A friend of mine and I are reading through the Bible together. This morning I’ve started the book of Deuteronomy, Moses last address to the children of Israel. The whole book is a call to “remember” the things that has happened to them since they left Egypt, a call to “remember” the commands and teachings God has given them along the way. Very quickly into the book, Moses gives the admonition to the children of Israel gathered before them to “Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget…” “What, Moses? What is so important that we need to be careful and watch ourselves for??” “The things your eyes have seen.”

What have YOU seen God do this year? What instructions has God given you? What battles have your fought, victories won, maybe even defeats?” What happened this year worthy of remembering? For me, the longer I sit and contemplate, the more things come to mind. Looking back and remembering all the way to this time last year, I see how far I’ve come. God has been sooo good to me. Do you recognize the same in your life?

Moses didnt just stop short at just remembering. At the end of that verse he states “or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.” Its not enough to simply remember. He admonishes the children to bury these things in their hearts, to NEVER forget. Let them marinate your life, add the flavor, let these rememberings guide your future. God has been faithful in the past, so faithful He will remain. When times of trial come upon you, God’s past faithfulness will give you strength to endure.

Remembering is a fine art to master; discipline yourself. Review and rehearse what God has done. Its healthy for your soul. But I must issue a word of admonistion of my own. Fast-forward a couple hundred years and another servant of our Lord writes, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” The temptation when remembering is getting stuck in the past. When you drive, it is entirely necessary to glance in your rear-view mirror for safety. Otherwise you slam on your breaks and get rear-ended because you didnt see a vehicle right behind you. Its dangerous not to look back; its even more dangerous to live facing backwards. Our purpose in looking back should be to aid us as we press on.

As 2007 comes to a rapid close, may I encourage you to PRESS ON!!!! If you had a fantastic year, PRESS ON! If you had the worst year imaginable, PRESS ON! Our goal is Christ. Lay hold of Him. Recklessly pursue Him. Make Him your magnificient obsession. Let the past enhance your perspective of the future. The God who was is the God who still is and will always be! Remember what He has done for you.

“Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.” (Deut. 4:9a)