By David Phillips
In each of our lives, events and happenings take place that are so staggering or impactful that they will long occupy a permanent place in our memories, causing us to look back and reflect on them as our lives progress. We just recently passed by the anniversary of a day that had deep and lasting effects on everyone in our nation. Just the mention of the words, September eleventh, brings a chill to most adult minds, though the infamous event happened 19 years ago. The year 2020 has been filled with such startling events, both national and personal, that we’re not likely to forget it anytime soon. And we’re not to the end of it yet. The word, mask will always evoke memories peculiar to this year. COVID is a new word in our vocabularies now, that won’t soon be forgotten. Some of the milestones marking this year were set at the loss of a loved one, a devastating career change, or perhaps a life-altering diagnosis.
I would suggest that the existence of these milestones, markers and memories remind us of several things that can be helpful in times like these.
- They remind us that God has richly blessed us with the ability to remember. Not only are “precious memories” comforting and encouraging, but they can also be tools with which we are able deepen our service and strengthen our effectiveness. Peter’s message to his faithful brethren in 2 Peter was to stir you up by way of reminder of the helpful things they had already been taught (1:12-15). I count at least 21 times in the New Testament when the command …remember… is given. Even “bad” memories can be instructive. They can help fabricate the resolve needed to avoid repeating mistakes. They can prompt us to appreciate better days.
- They remind us that we are moving, and not static. Though no doubt we sometimes long for calm, uneventful, even dull times when we might just sit back and watch the world go by, strength and health can only be achieved as we move and grow. The Israelites would never have made it across the Red Sea without obeying God’s command to go forward! (Exodus 14:15). Their shortsighted faith caused them to look back and murmur for the fleshpots of Egypt in times of difficulty, but the day would come when they would look back and praise God for His deliverance (Psalm 105, 106). The milestones in our lives remind us that God is still our deliverer, so long as we keep moving forward.
- They remind us that the life of every single Christian is significant, and each step of our earthly journey is important. The Christian life is nothing if not optimistic and positive in its outlook. The very fact that God’s providence works in our lives (Romans 8:28) and that things and events, even unpleasant ones, can help produce a greater good for us and those around us, sets the Christian apart from those of the world. For a quick study on the “side effects” of hardship in the life of a child of God, read Philippians 1:1 2-14. We should each stand ready to make the very best of life, leaning on God and one another for help to make it through the hard spots, and be an anchor for someone to tie to, in the midst of life’s storms.
While this may go down as the year you lost someone or something special, it can also no doubt be remembered as the year you grew stronger, stood taller and reached deeper, if you’re willing to let God help you make it that way. Remember, as we studied recently, If it be so, our God, whom we serve is able to deliver us...Dan.3:17.