Forgetfulness...

There are certain things we never forget. Like I remember when my first kiss was and when I got married and when my 3 kids were born. I don't remember things like what clothes I wore a week ago or what I ate 3 days ago.

Our Creator knew we'd remember certain things and forget certain others. He designed us so that some things would be forgotten. Forgotten so that the pain and struggle and deep disappointment would not hold us down and grip us in a powerless lifeless position. He also made us to be able to remember things that bring us joy, love, purpose and meaning.

Have you noticed the few things God told us to not forget. He told his people to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy and honorable. He knew that we would get to the place where we would be so entwined in daily living that we would forget that our existence and that our abilities come from him. He knew we would need to re-align ourselves with him and his purposes every 7 days. It is why he worked 6 days and then rested on the 7th day. Remember this creation ordinance, as Jesus later said, was for us so that we would never forget our dependence upon God. We would need to refocus our lives on him instead of self-focus and focus only on our work.

God also told us to teach our children daily all about him and his ways. He said to teach life as we live life, teach about his activity and authority around and in us - as we walk, talk, eat, sit, lay down, writing his ways and salvation on the doorposts and on the gates. Everywhere in every day...so that our children's children will know the ways of God. So that we don't forget all his activity of redemption and blessing in and around us. People tend to forget some of the most important elements in life.

There's one very important moment when as Christ followers we were told to remember it. This one trumps all the others. The night when Jesus was betrayed, at the dinner meal, he took bread and wine. He gave thanks for the bread and then he broke it and passed it around. He said, "Take and eat. This represents my broken body for you. Do this in remembrance of me." He then took the cup and gave thanks for it and then said, "this represents my shed blood which is the new covenant which is for the forgiveness of sins. Drink this in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this break and drink this cup, you declare the Lord's death until he comes again."

A call often to remembrance. Have you forgotten that Jesus paid for your sins? Have you forgotten what it cost him for your redemption? Have you stopped, or do you stop often, to remember your dear Savior, who loved you beyond measure, who gave up his life for you, so that you might live in newness of life? Jesus does not want us to forget any of this because everything hinges on it. Everything!

Take the time right now and bow before Jesus and remember what he did for you. Thank him for his full payment for your every sin. Thank him that he did all this on a cruel cross so that he could come close to you and love you and that you could coome close to him. He does not want you to live in forgetfulness of him.

May you remember Jesus in this specific way, often, taking the bread and the wine, and remembering his death and resurrection, until we see him again. May each time you reflect, mediate and celebrate, may you be drawn closer to him and have a greater love for him.