Oh the Memories

Our memory is crazy. I took a class in college all about learning theory and part of it was about how we make, store, and recall memories. Now, I forget most of the really cool, important, scientific stuff-but any one of our senses can suddenly evoke a memory at any given point in time. It’s different for everyone, but for me, my sense of smell is what brings most of my memories to mind. Every now and then I smell something that will bring back a memory from so long ago that I’m truly surprised when it comes to mind. Another thing that often bring backs memories for me, is music. Music has always been big part of my life and I associate different periods of my life with the music I listened to during that time.

On my way home from class this week a song came on the radio that reminded me of a not-so-great time in my life. I was suddenly overcome by a sense of guilt and shame for past sins and regrets. Thankfully, the Lord was quick to remind me of……well, Himself.

I was reminded of when God commanded the Israelites to build a stone monument at Gilgal. He said, “In the future, when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ …He did this so that all peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God” (Joshua 4: 21-22, 24). We know that the Israelites were not always faithful. They saw miraculous things from God all through their time in the desert and still rendered a golden calf to worship instead of their all-powerful God (Exodus 14:21-22; 15:22-25; 16:4, 11-13; 17:5-6; 32:1-6). Still, when they came out of the dessert, God told them to build a monument so they would always remember where they had been and what God had done for them.

I suddenly had a new perspective to look at my memories from. I was so thankful for God’s mercy and grace. For the changes He’s made in me; for His unconditional love and forgiveness. I was (and remain) thankful that God has looked past my unfaithful times and brought me through my desert. I’m thankful that God forgets our sin (Hebrews 8:12; Isaiah 43:25), but we don’t. Remembering were we’ve been helps us remember how awful it is when we don’t do things God’s way. It helps us remember that His will is always the best for us. It reminds us to seek Him, and stay close.

The important thing to keep in mind is that remembering is not the same as dwelling. When we remember where we’ve been, we’re able to be grateful and thankful for where God has brought us. When we dwell, the Devil keeps us stuck inside our own head, filling us with guilt and shame. Christ died so that we do not have to live that way.

I pray that we can always remember where God has brought us and what He’s done for us. I pray that we can remember His grace and mercy, and always know the wonder of His forgiveness. I pray that we stay firm in His Word and not give Satan a foothold in our minds or memories.

Have a restful weekend,
Jill