The Power of Remembering

Okay, I scrapped my first post, because my kids came home talking about what they learned at school about 9-11.

So, I want to talk quickly about the power of remembering. Remembering can be a positive or negative force. As an adult, you can remember what they used to call you in middle school that made you either fight, or run away in tears. You can remember what it felt like to get rejected by the boy you “loved.” You can remember what happened to you has a child by a person who you were supposed to be able to trust, not be terrified of. You can remember how they said you’d never make it, and that you weren’t good enough. You can remember those things, and begin to feel those feelings of rejection, fear, and hurt all over again, leaving you paralyzed by your past.

But, not all painful remembering is bad. We remember what it felt like that beautiful September morning, when our nation faced one of the most horrific terrorist attacks this world has ever seen. We remember watching the unbelievable footage of that jetliner crashing into the South Tower on national TV. We remember watching as human beings jumped from over 100 stories, because they just couldn’t bear to breathe in the smoke any longer. And we remember watching in shock as one tower collapsed, after the other. Though it is painful to remember that day, it is necessary. It is necessary because it ensures that the memories of those we lost continue to live on. It is necessary because it reminds us that we cannot let our guard down again. It is necessary because it reminds us how fragile our precious lives really are. It is necessary because it clearly reminds us of the evil in this world and how much we need JESUS to defeat it.

And there is another type of remembering that I think is beneficial to us as humans. The Scriptures remind us over and over to remember the great things that our God has done. David says it like this, “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done” (Ps. 142:6). When times are difficult, it’s important to remember God’s faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). When you are lonely, it’s important to remember Jesus’ constant presence (Matthew 28:20). When times are uncertain, it’s important to remember God’s power (Psalm 62:11). When times are just too difficult to bear, it’s important to remember to cast our cares on Jesus, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)!

So, as we remember this tragic day 11 years ago, let us also remember, like David, all the mighty works our God has done. He loves us. He desires us. He pursues us. He died as us. And He promises that even when we don’t understand, if we trust Him, He will work it all out in the end (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Remember with me.