Pictures, sounds, smells, faces- an amazing collage of information out of which I formulate memories – is stored in the billions of cells that form that lump between my ears called a brain! On Sunday, Bev and I set off for the little town in Massachusetts where we raised our family and invested a dozen years in God’s work at Calvary Christian Chapel. On Monday, I stood at that little church and was overwhelmed to the point of physical illness by memory. In my mind I could hear the chatter of my children again, the voices of that congregation raised in song, the strains of a song Larry sang on my first Sunday as their pastor – “Welcome To the Family.” My mind flipped through pages that held weddings, funerals, dinners, and faces of friends gone for years. At age 53, I certainly have many more memories than expectations! Yet, I am grateful, beyond words, for those memories for they are my ‘life experience,’ and that, in large part, makes me who I am today! In sum, the satisfactions outweigh the regrets, thank God.

It isn’t, as I discovered this week, always a pleasant thing to ‘see’ the past. There is the ache that comes with longing to re-live happy moments, the stab that comes with recall of stupid or sinful decisions, and the knowledge that all is now out of reach, only a collection of memories, sometimes supported by a photograph or a video! But remembering is important! Burke reminded us that ‘Those who do not know history are destined to repeat it.’ Maya Angelou sagely observes that ‘History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, it need not be lived again.’

I find it compelling to note that Jesus Christ commands remembering and makes it one of the core practices of Christians. “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:19-20, NIV) “Never forget,” He says, “what I did on your behalf, the sacrifice at the Cross that reconciles you to God.” Interestingly, He built that ritual meal of remembrance around another – the Passover Seder – that the Jews have celebrated for thousands of years which recalls their own salvation and calling out of Egypt.

The Lord’s Supper or Communion serves not only to remind us of our salvation. It is also a time to renew our ties to the family, the Church. On our trip, Bev and I shared meals with friends. It was remarkable how years of separation fell away as we laughed and listened around tables! When Christians take the cup and the bread together, it should be a vivid reminder of the unity to which God calls us. At Communion, we are all on the same level ground- sinners saved by grace, now children of God, the Elect “who once were far away … brought near through the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13, NIV)

Disciple, remember!
Remember God’s faithfulness and rejoice.
Remember God’s forgiveness and let go of regret.
Remember with gratitude those who blessed you along the way.
Remember and let experience be your teacher.

Here’s a word from the Word. May the Spirit use it to remind you of God’s goodness.
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes,
I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?” (Psalm 77:11-13, NIV)
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Great is Thy faithfulness

    Thomas Obediah Chisholm | William Marion Runyan

    © 1923. Renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Company